Wanderers in Europe
Wanderers complain about ‘overreaction’ by officers
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| A picture of a fan taken by Trevor Crookell Fans try to flee from the baton-wielding riot police The two pictures of riot police beating fans were taken seconds apart. The picture above shows a riot policeman with his baton raised over a Wanderers fan cowering in his seat to the left of centre of the picture The policeman's baton comes back up after striking the fan, who is holding his head in pain with one hand, and trying to protect and protect himself with the other. Those around him try to escape over railings and are also struck with batons |
VOTE BOLTON Wanderers have complained to UEFA about the "overzealous and disproportionate actions" of Spanish police in Madrid.
In a club statement, Wanderers said: "The directors of Bolton Wanderers Football Club are upset and disturbed at the apparent overzealous and disproportionate actions of the Spanish police towards our supporters during Thursday night's UEFA Cup return leg at Atletico Madrid.
"Fans were subjected to a number of assaults and unprovoked baton charges before, during, and after the game.
"Bolton Wanderers has launched an official protest with UEFA and its security delegates, who witnessed the behaviour of the local police force.
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"Bolton Wanderers supporters have an impeccable reputation and an excellent record of good behaviour when travelling abroad to European matches, and the club believes the actions of the Madrid police are entirely unacceptable."
The goalless draw on Thursday night meant Wanderers go forward to the next round of the UEFA Cup.
Spanish police said that problems at the game were "just the usual at any football game" and refused to respond to Bolton's complaints.
But Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has pledged to take the issue to the highest level to get an explanation.
He said: "I have great sympathy for any of our supporters who have been injured by what is clearly an overreaction by the Spanish police.
"Our fans gave us magnificent support on the night and this has taken the shine off what has been a momentous evening in the club's history.
"Bolton Wanderers Football Club will be pursuing the matter at the highest level and seeking an explanation from the Spanish authorities.
"We will also be conducting our own internal investigation and information-gathering process."
A UEFA spokesman said: "We are still waiting to receive a report from the officials at the game. We will then analyse that report and decide whether to launch an investigation or not."
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: "GMP had a senior police officer present at the match, Chief Superintendent David Lea, who praised the conduct of the fans and has raised his concerns about the conduct of Spanish officers with his counterparts in Madrid."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are continuing to liaise with GMP and Bolton Wanderers and await UEFA's official report before deciding what action to take."
10:48am Saturday 23rd February 2008
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CommentPosted by: Rocky, Bowton on 11:06am Sat 23 Feb 08
Boycott Spanish Holidays
Boycott Spanish Goods in the supermarket (FruitVeg)
Write to Supermarkets asking them not to sell spanish goods.
Write to EU MEP asking to raise the Issue in EU parliament.
Write to Local MP to Raise with UEFA.
Write to UEFA to complain.
HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS THEM MOST.
IN THEIR POCKETS.
Boycott Spanish Holidays
Boycott Spanish Goods in the supermarket (FruitVeg)
Write to Supermarkets asking them not to sell spanish goods.
Write to EU MEP asking to raise the Issue in EU parliament.
Write to Local MP to Raise with UEFA.
Write to UEFA to complain.
HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS THEM MOST.
IN THEIR POCKETS.
Posted by: Rocky, Bowton on 11:12am Sat 23 Feb 08
Spanish Embassy in London
39 Chesham Place
London SW1X 8SB
Tel. 020 7235 5555
Fax: 020 7259 5392
A few calls to these police would not go amiss
Spanish Embassy in London
39 Chesham Place
London SW1X 8SB
Tel. 020 7235 5555
Fax: 020 7259 5392
A few calls to these police would not go amiss
Posted by: Den, Leigh on 11:27am Sat 23 Feb 08
Why cannot the European Justice System/Courts come down on the Spanish 'authorities' ??
They would do if this was in England!!
BAN THE SPANISH PEASANTS!!
Why cannot the European Justice System/Courts come down on the Spanish 'authorities' ??
They would do if this was in England!!
BAN THE SPANISH PEASANTS!!
Posted by: Horwich Allstars, horwich on 11:43am Sat 23 Feb 08
come on BN - we know it's against your nature to be a campaigning paper..but lead a boycott on Spanish products until we get the answers that we deserve.
come on BN - we know it's against your nature to be a campaigning paper..but lead a boycott on Spanish products until we get the answers that we deserve.
Posted by: SUPERWHITEINEXILE, Altea-Spain on 11:58am Sat 23 Feb 08
The Spanish authorities won't do anything that the European court of justice says. They have a recent history of taking every cent they can in grants from the Eu but having their own way with other matters.
The Spanish authorities won't do anything that the European court of justice says. They have a recent history of taking every cent they can in grants from the Eu but having their own way with other matters.
Posted by: GC, Turton on 12:31pm Sat 23 Feb 08
This is just going to fade away with no action taken by the authorities and the spanish thugs will be free to do the same again in the future. Everyone should bear this in mind next time they consider a spanish holiday or whenever they are tempted to buy spanish produce. Boycott them and pay them back in some small way for their disgraceful actions.
This is just going to fade away with no action taken by the authorities and the spanish thugs will be free to do the same again in the future. Everyone should bear this in mind next time they consider a spanish holiday or whenever they are tempted to buy spanish produce. Boycott them and pay them back in some small way for their disgraceful actions.
Posted by: keithyt, Bolton on 3:21pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Lets face it these degoes are famed for attacking and torturing harmless bulls for sport, the Police just carry this practice into football, arm yourself to the teeth and attack anything that cannot fight back to show what a man you are.
This country is in the third world of europe, mentality and intelligence of the middle ages.
Put a tray in their hands with a couple of glasses on and they are fine, anything that requires more intelligence is beyond them.
Lets face it these degoes are famed for attacking and torturing harmless bulls for sport, the Police just carry this practice into football, arm yourself to the teeth and attack anything that cannot fight back to show what a man you are.
This country is in the third world of europe, mentality and intelligence of the middle ages.
Put a tray in their hands with a couple of glasses on and they are fine, anything that requires more intelligence is beyond them.
Posted by: Trotter, Bolton on 3:37pm Sat 23 Feb 08
watch this if you dare!!
http://youtube.com/w
atch?v=jA2uA-59a4Y
watch this if you dare!!
http://youtube.com/w
atch?v=jA2uA-59a4Y
Posted by: Lord Lucan, Somewhere on 6:07pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Until very recently Spain was ruled by a fascist dictatorship - policing methods still follow those principles of shoot first and ask questions later.
Not very effective tho - Madrid has a high crime rate.
Until very recently Spain was ruled by a fascist dictatorship - policing methods still follow those principles of shoot first and ask questions later.
Not very effective tho - Madrid has a high crime rate.
Posted by: Zimmy, Manc on 10:29pm Sat 23 Feb 08
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems.
Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems.
Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.
Posted by: Rocky, Bowton on 8:33am Sun 24 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Zimmy[/bold] wrote:
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems.
Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.[/quote] Has bungle left you alone today Zippy?
Zimmy wrote:
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems.
Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.
Has bungle left you alone today Zippy?
Posted by: burnden4ever, burnden on 8:02pm Sun 24 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Zimmy[/bold] wrote:
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems. Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.[/quote] and that was just United fans pretending to be Bolton fans because they cannot get ticket to their European games due to all the so-called southern fan base
Zimmy wrote:
Looks like Bolton fans on the pee all day caused the problems. Behave in future don't spoilt it for us law abiding United fans.
and that was just United fans pretending to be Bolton fans because they cannot get ticket to their European games due to all the so-called southern fan base
Posted by: Tinker, Horwich on 4:19pm Mon 25 Feb 08
Why where the stewards who went to Madrid,paid for by the club, not controling the Bolton fans? UEFA should ban all spanish clubs from their comps but will they NO,but if it was the other way round,enough said.
Why where the stewards who went to Madrid,paid for by the club, not controling the Bolton fans? UEFA should ban all spanish clubs from their comps but will they NO,but if it was the other way round,enough said.
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