Source: London_Paper
"All Hell breaks loose" in West Ham as football violence erupts
POLICE were scouring CCTV images today in a bid to identify the ringleaders who brought "despicable" scenes of football hooliganism to east London last night.
Witnesses said "all hell broke loose" as rival fans from Millwall and West Ham clashed in scenes described as a "disgrace to football".
Officers believe the violence had been planned and they were studying internet chatrooms to find who had arranged it.
Terrified children were caught up in the violence and two fans were stabbed during running battles on the streets and inside West Ham?s Upton Park stadium.
Another fan suffered serious head injuries after being hit with a brick as 1,000 police officers struggled to keep the yobs apart.
West Ham resident Mansoor Haider, 24, said: "It was carnage. I saw a man being pelted with bricks. Blood was pouring from his head but they didn?t stop. They were going at each other like wild animals. The Millwall fans surrounded the police on horses and tried to push the animals over.
"I?ve never seen anything like it in all my life. It was like a war zone."
Fighting started shortly after 6pm outside the ground. It escalated into pitched battles between hundreds of fans, many of whom could be seen with blood dripping down their faces, and continued until midnight.
Police described it as the worst violence for years. Thirteen people were arrested and more arrests are expected.
One 44-year-old man was knifed in the chest and was in a stable condition today. The other, a man of 40, was slashed in the neck.
Mayor Boris Johnson condemned the violence, branding it "absolutely appalling," while sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe said it was a "disgrace to football".
The officer in charge of policing the match blamed the brawls on "a small number of supporters" intent on causing trouble.
Chief Superintendent Steve Wisbey said: "It would appear that a small number of supporters were intent on causing a confrontation."
The Football Association has promised to ban those involved in the violence, which could affect England?s bid for the 2018 World Cup.
But the Metropolitan Police Federation called on them to go further and force the clubs to play behind closed doors and dock them points.
He said: "We hope that recognition is given to the bravery and professionalism of the officers who last night defied attacks on them to protect decent, honest fans and the public from despicable thugs hell-bent on violence."
