Amsterdams mayor blames Ajax hooligans for starting violent clashes with Celtic fans ahead of Champions League match MAYOR Eberhard van der Laan said Celtic fans had been provoked - but insisted some supporters then dished out excessive violence to plainclothes police officers. AMSTERDAMS mayor has blamed Ajax hooligans for starting the violence that erupted ahead of Celtic’s Champions League match. A report by the city’s police force said the rioting in Dam Square was triggered when three Ajax supporters stole a flag from Hoops fans. Mayor Eberhard van der Laan said the incident – and a “hit-and-run” raid on a bar packed with travelling supporters the night before – were the main spurs for the outbreak of violence on November 6. In a letter to the city council, he wrote: “I interpret this hooligan behaviour as possibly the most important cause for the emergence of disorder between the Celtic supporters and the Amsterdam police at Dam Square.” He said Celtic fans had been provoked – but some then dished out “excessive violence” to plainclothes Dutch police. Van der Laan added: “I note that the agents were met with excessive violence and no fewer than seven were injured. For a short time, the agents no longer felt safe. They must and are expected to react proportionately in such a situation.” Fans’ group the Celtic Trust condemned the mayor’s conclusions as “a cover-up of the brutal and criminal behaviour of the Dutch police” and said they would “work to clear their good names”. Five fans are appealing against prison sentences handed down in Amsterdam for using violence against police. They claim undercover officers who arrested them failed to identify themselves and have accused police of brutality. Celtic have sent 25 complaints by fans to a Dutch lawyer who is considering pressing charges against police. Videos posted on social media showed one fan, Padraig Mullen, being dragged to the ground and kneed by a police officer in plain clothes, and others being hit with batons. Mullen, 28, and Damian Dobbin, 28, from Hamilton, were sentenced to two months in jail. Thomas Kennedy, 30, and Andy Vance, 21, got six weeks and Joseph McPherson, 20, a one-month term. All have been released and returned home pending an appeal.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 13:22:19 +0000
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