Yesterday Iceland met the Ukraine in the World Cup Qualifiers. Fans of the Ukrainian national football team attempted to smuggle weapons and projectiles into Laugardalsvöllur arena. Several fans were barred entry. During the match the fans made repeated attempts to provoke a confrontation with Icelandic Police.
The fans were ultimately escorted by armed Police officers to Keflavík Airport where they were followed onboard their flights back to the Ukraine. Nine hundred Ukrainian fans came to Iceland to support their team.
Thanks to the heavy policing the game went well and no serious incidents took place. Iceland won the match 2-0. Both goals were scored by Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, who plays as midfielder with English premier league club Everton. By defeating Ukraine Iceland still has a chance of making it to the 2018 World Cup.
Football hooligans
This is the second time the Icelandic national football team plays a home match against foreign teams whose fans are known for hooliganism. Earlier this summer Iceland beat Croatia 1-0.
Read more: Police arrested seven Croatian football hooligans prior to Sunday's World Cup Qualifiers
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that Police confiscated large quantities of rocks which some of the Ukrainian fans tried to bring with them into the arena. A knife which one of the fans had hidden in his backpack was also confiscated. Several fans were stopped when they attempted to enter the arena without valid tickets. Two Ukrainian fans were arrested during the match, as they had made their way into the arena by breaking lock at a gate.
Ukranian fans notorious for hooliganism
Police officers stood guard in front of the Ukrainian benches to ensure none of the fans would run out onto the field. Ásgeir Þór Ásgeirsson, a chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV that this was done because the Ukrainian fans are known for running out onto the pitch during games.
Ásgeir also the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the fans made repeated attempts to provoke the officers who stood guard. They are known for attempting to provoke police officers by shouting profanities at them, and they did this throughout yesterday's game. They try to provoke. It's a well known tactic, and it has no effect on us.
Yesterday Iceland met the Ukraine in the World Cup Qualifiers. Fans of the Ukrainian national football team attempted to smuggle weapons and projectiles into Laugardalsvöllur arena. Several fans were barred entry. During the match the fans made repeated attempts to provoke a confrontation with Icelandic Police.
The fans were ultimately escorted by armed Police officers to Keflavík Airport where they were followed onboard their flights back to the Ukraine. Nine hundred Ukrainian fans came to Iceland to support their team.
Thanks to the heavy policing the game went well and no serious incidents took place. Iceland won the match 2-0. Both goals were scored by Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, who plays as midfielder with English premier league club Everton. By defeating Ukraine Iceland still has a chance of making it to the 2018 World Cup.
Football hooligans
This is the second time the Icelandic national football team plays a home match against foreign teams whose fans are known for hooliganism. Earlier this summer Iceland beat Croatia 1-0.
Read more: Police arrested seven Croatian football hooligans prior to Sunday's World Cup Qualifiers
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports that Police confiscated large quantities of rocks which some of the Ukrainian fans tried to bring with them into the arena. A knife which one of the fans had hidden in his backpack was also confiscated. Several fans were stopped when they attempted to enter the arena without valid tickets. Two Ukrainian fans were arrested during the match, as they had made their way into the arena by breaking lock at a gate.
Ukranian fans notorious for hooliganism
Police officers stood guard in front of the Ukrainian benches to ensure none of the fans would run out onto the field. Ásgeir Þór Ásgeirsson, a chief superintendent for the Metropolitan Police told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV that this was done because the Ukrainian fans are known for running out onto the pitch during games.
Ásgeir also the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the fans made repeated attempts to provoke the officers who stood guard. They are known for attempting to provoke police officers by shouting profanities at them, and they did this throughout yesterday's game. They try to provoke. It's a well known tactic, and it has no effect on us.
