Council Publishes Rogues' Gallery of Football Thugs

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50 already traced and charged after last season's mass brawl

With the new football season about to kick off, Hammersmith and Fulham Council has published a "rogues' gallery" of football fans who became involved in a mass brawl earlier this year - and is appealing to anyone recognising the faces to contact the police.

The violence took place between Chelsea and Cardiff City football fans before and after an FA Cup match on February 13.

Earlier picture appeals led to more than 50 fans being traced and now the police and the council are hoping for the same success with this new batch of photos.

The trouble began when around 100 Chelsea fans gathered in the West Brompton area and moved towards North End Road where they split into two groups. Three coaches carrying Cardiff fans arrived before fights broke out in Fulham Road. Smoke bombs were set off before police were able to break up the crowd.

At the end of the match, opposing supporters made their way to Fulham Road, close to the junction with Holmead Road. Tension between the two groups quickly escalated and police formed a line between the supporters in a bid to separate them. A number of Cardiff supporters broke off from the main group and cut down an alleyway onto the Kings Road, where they were met by a group of Chelsea fans.

200 began fighting with missiles, including road cones and bricks thrown and with one police officer needing surgery after a facial injury.

51 people have already been charged with offences including affray, violent disorder and GBH and have been bailed to appear at West London Magistrates Court later this month.

Cllr Greg Smith, H&F Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, says: " These hooligans are the minority who give football a bad name and need to be caught. We will not tolerate this sort of violence in the borough and I would encourage anyone who recognises these louts to report them so we can get them in front of a Judge. "

If you recognise anyone in these new pictures you are asked to call the police on 020 8246 2712 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

August 6, 2010