Drone Breaks Up Euro Qualifier

((HT: Sport Central))

This might be the next step in hooliganism- the HQ is still trying to figure out if this move below was a genius one-off or the beginning of something that could get infinitely more dangerous over time.

Serbia and Albania were going at it in the first half of their Euro 2016 qualifier when someone got very ingenious with their attempt at game interruption. This, folks, was no black lab...


When you wave an Albanian flag in Belgrade, it's the equivalent of waving something in a bull's face in the ring.

UEFA had banned Albanian fans from being in the building, so someone decided to fly the drone. The Albanian flag had a map of Kosovo and the message 'autochthonous', meaning indigenous- drooping from the craft.

That's when players and fans all got into it. Serbian defender Stefan Mitrovic pulled the flag down and that act seemed to start it.

The political background for all of this dates back to 1999 when NATO had an almost three-month long air war to stop the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo by Serbian forces. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but this is not recognized by Serbia. Adding to that, seven of Albania's squad were born in the Kosovo region.

The match was abandoned and may not have been a good idea in the first place.

According to Reuters, the brother of Albanian Prime Minister was arrested in the V.I.P Box and was found with a remote.

'He was arrested on suspicion that he masterminded and executed the incident in which a flag with a map of greater Albania was flown over the pitch and the terraces, after which the match between Serbia and Albania was abandoned."

Brazilian Soccer Riots Explode In Stadium

((HT: TheBest))

There is already, plenty, to be concerned about as the World gravitates toward Brazil for the World Cup in the summer...

Other than the corruption, the stadia that may or may not make their deadlines (and may or may not meet spec when the ARE done), and the violence in the streets... the country seems prepared for just about anything...

Except more rioting inside a soccer stadium...

Today, a match between Atlético Paranaense and Vasco da Gama led to nothing short of mayhem

Evidence below...


And it makes you wonder about how security will be when the world's best soccer players are all over a country in civil unrest...

Three fans injured were taken to hospital in critical condition...
Here's a longer version with interviews on the field in Portuguese...

27 Killed After Port Said Riot Verdicts

First, a little context...

Last year, two rival Egyptian clubs, Al-Ahly and Al-Masry, didn't get to finish their match as violence broke out. 74 were killed by the time the riots concluded as it was determined that local police did little or nothing to keep the violence down once it started and were not assisting those who were fleeing the stadium and the violence.

Here are some of the live elements from that night...


21 of the 73 defendants in the ensuing trial had their verdicts read today and they were sentenced to death for their actions. Violence broke out after the verdicts were read and 27 more were killed.

People were killed when police fired tear gas, bird shot and other live ammunition at the mob who was protesting the verdicts outside the prison where the defendants are being held. Two soccer players were killed on their way to do training near the prison. One of the players was shot three times according to a local health official.

Protesters are also using this verdict as a way to protest the policies and tenure of President Mohammed Morsi. Before the verdict was read, Morsi declared that each family of the deceased from the original riot was to receive the US equivalent of $15,000 for their pain and suffering.

Here's Euronews coverage of the verdict

75 Charged With Murder In Egypt Soccer Riot

Egypt's top prosecutor charged 75 people in connection with the soccer riot last month where authorities claimed fans were thrown to their death while others were killed by explosives as they tried to flee the stadium itself.

In addition, nine police officers were accused of "complicity."
It was the world's worst soccer-related disaster in 15 years.

The riot began minutes after the game ended between al-Ahly and al-Masry in a game they won 3-1. al-Masry's fans, apparently, went after al-Ahly fans for the next half-hour while police stood by and watched.

Here's the report from Egyptian network El-Ahly...
And it was pretty graphic... and, yes, it was in native tongue...

Egypt Premier Dissolves Soccer Fed Board After Riots

Port Said's police chief has also resigned in the wake of yesterday's mess...
((HT: RussiaToday))


Some accused the police of allowing the riot to go down because of feelings against the ultras -- die-hard soccer fans who are enemies of the police, and backers of Al-Ahly.

Protests and a march are planned today as part of the public outcry on the deaths. And it is reported that fans of Al-Ahly rival, Al-Masry, actually chased their rivals armed with anything they could grab...

The HQ isn't surprised...

BREAKING: Port Said Soccer Death Toll Now At 26 ((UPDATED: 73))

A Cairo, Egypt medical official has raised the official death toll to 26 after a riot broke out after the Port Said match with Al-Masry...

Some of the dead in Wednesday's clashes were security officers. A security official and another medic said fans of Al-Masry swarmed the field after a rare 3-1 win against rival Al-Ahly.

Here's the beginning of the riot...
((HT: youtube))


There are conflicting reports as to the number of dead- which has reported as high at 35...

More when we know more...

1445 UPDATE: Egypt State TV is now reporting the death toll at 73...

Here's a longer version...
((via @RichardDeitsch and @ProducerMatthew)))


1700 UPDATE: Here's analysis from the studio, and it's not pretty...