Technorgasm
10-24-2012, 07:31 AM
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/soccerusa/id/340?cc=5901
(VIDEO)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Jose Earthquakes had plenty to celebrate on Sunday. Not only was ground broken on the team's long-awaited stadium project but the team got to celebrate its second Supporters Shield, breaking out the champagne after the team's 2-2 draw with their in-state rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Yet the day was marred by the arrest of seven fans at the match and the eventual clearing of an entire section of spectators that comprised the bulk of the Galaxy's traveling support.
According to the Santa Clara Police Department spokesman, Lt. Matt Hogan, shortly after the start of the second half, police observed fighting in a section of the stands where many Galaxy supporters were located. When they attempted to intervene, they were confronted by fans who were "confrontational with police" and who met authorities with "resistance, including the reckless discharge of a smoke device."
The SCPD then called for backup from both the San Jose Police Department and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety; with 20 additional units on hand, order was soon restored. A total of seven arrests were made with charges ranging from battery on a peace officer to resisting arrest -- those charged were booked into Santa Clara County jail.
"The area where the initial fight broke out was largely L.A. Galaxy fan-based," he said. "But it's not known at this point if there were any rivals [involved], or if ... the arrested fans had one thing in common and that was if they were L.A. Galaxy fans."
But it is suspected that as many as six of those arrested are members of the Angel City Brigade, a Galaxy supporters group. The group released a statement via its Facebook page confirming that some of its members had indeed been arrested.
"Regarding the incident today at Buck Shaw stadium [sic], at no time did any member of ACB leave the Galaxy supporter section or deviate from the security plan," the statement read. "Stadium security, either knowingly or through negligence, allowed several San Jose supporters into the away supporters area who proceeded to cause disruptions. At no time did any member of ACB fail to obey law enforcement [or] resist arrest. The resulting arrests and detentions left minor children without guardians, incurred financial cost to several members and mostly likely lost time at work. We wish it known that we feel security at Buck Shaw stadium [sic] failed in their obligation to segregate supporters of different teams and provide a safe, secure environment for away fans and supporters."
(Local news footage (http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/soccer-fans-arrested-rowdy-la-galaxy-fans-arrested/vgHw6/) of the arrests showed ACB fans being led away in handcuffs.)
The remaining fans in the section were escorted out of the stadium, although it wasn't clear if this was done voluntarily. According to the SCPD, no one was treated for injuries, nor was anyone transported to the hospital.
(VIDEO)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Jose Earthquakes had plenty to celebrate on Sunday. Not only was ground broken on the team's long-awaited stadium project but the team got to celebrate its second Supporters Shield, breaking out the champagne after the team's 2-2 draw with their in-state rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Yet the day was marred by the arrest of seven fans at the match and the eventual clearing of an entire section of spectators that comprised the bulk of the Galaxy's traveling support.
According to the Santa Clara Police Department spokesman, Lt. Matt Hogan, shortly after the start of the second half, police observed fighting in a section of the stands where many Galaxy supporters were located. When they attempted to intervene, they were confronted by fans who were "confrontational with police" and who met authorities with "resistance, including the reckless discharge of a smoke device."
The SCPD then called for backup from both the San Jose Police Department and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety; with 20 additional units on hand, order was soon restored. A total of seven arrests were made with charges ranging from battery on a peace officer to resisting arrest -- those charged were booked into Santa Clara County jail.
"The area where the initial fight broke out was largely L.A. Galaxy fan-based," he said. "But it's not known at this point if there were any rivals [involved], or if ... the arrested fans had one thing in common and that was if they were L.A. Galaxy fans."
But it is suspected that as many as six of those arrested are members of the Angel City Brigade, a Galaxy supporters group. The group released a statement via its Facebook page confirming that some of its members had indeed been arrested.
"Regarding the incident today at Buck Shaw stadium [sic], at no time did any member of ACB leave the Galaxy supporter section or deviate from the security plan," the statement read. "Stadium security, either knowingly or through negligence, allowed several San Jose supporters into the away supporters area who proceeded to cause disruptions. At no time did any member of ACB fail to obey law enforcement [or] resist arrest. The resulting arrests and detentions left minor children without guardians, incurred financial cost to several members and mostly likely lost time at work. We wish it known that we feel security at Buck Shaw stadium [sic] failed in their obligation to segregate supporters of different teams and provide a safe, secure environment for away fans and supporters."
(Local news footage (http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/soccer-fans-arrested-rowdy-la-galaxy-fans-arrested/vgHw6/) of the arrests showed ACB fans being led away in handcuffs.)
The remaining fans in the section were escorted out of the stadium, although it wasn't clear if this was done voluntarily. According to the SCPD, no one was treated for injuries, nor was anyone transported to the hospital.