Joint Irish-Scots bid gets another boost

IRELAND and Scotland's hopes of hosting the European Championships in 2008 have sustained another boost as further violence flared at a football match in Switzerland who are mounting a joint bid for the tournament with Austria.

It is a rather embarrassing situation for the two central European nations, coming within a week of the trouble which erupted in the course of Arsenal’s pre season friendly against Rapid Vienna.

Football authorities in both Austria and Switzerland, have been rocked by the latest incident which resulted in one policeman sustaining injuries after officers fired rubber bullets.

Ironically the Swiss/Austrian bid had been promoted on the basis that the countries were the safest and most peaceful in the world.

Organisers also stressed the need for effective security at matches as a major factor in UEFA decision-making. Fighting broke out at the Allmend stadium in Lucerne between home fans and hooligans from FC Zurich.

Around 30 Zurich troublemakers aimed fireworks at police and FC Lucerne supporters outside the ground. Sticks, bottles and stones were also thrown, according to eyewitness reports.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds, with one officer suffering a leg wound and three rioters receiving facial injuries. Several cars were also damaged in the vicinity of the grounds.

The troublemakers from Zurich were known to the police and action is expected to be taken against them. A police spokesperson admitted that the battle may have been pre-arranged.

Last weekend, the friendly match between Austrian team Rapid Vienna and English double champions Arsenal had to be abandoned after a riot. The players left the field for their own safety after 20 minutes when Austrian hooligans clashed with police in Eisenstadt.