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Leeds leads in troublemakers Wimbledon's Hartson fined; Queen honors Ian Wright
Posted: Thursday July 13, 2000 11:40 AM
LEEDS, England (AP) -- Leeds United has the worst record for hooliganism in English soccer, according to a list compiled by a British lawmaker. Jim Murphy, a Member of Parliament from Scotland, obtained a list of soccer fans banned from attending games or who have restriction orders placed against them. From a total of 402 fans, 59 are associated with Leeds, nearly three times as many as the next Premier League club -- Chelsea, with 22. The report claims the Yorkshire club accounts for more than a third of the 155 fans of Premier League clubs currently under banning and restriction orders.
Leeds has a long-held reputation for fan violence. Two Leeds fans were stabbed to death in fighting with Galatasaray supporters before the UEFA Cup semifinal in Istanbul last season. Murphy's findings were released ahead of a House of Commons debate into anti-hooligan legislation proposed by Home Secretary Jack Straw in the wake of rioting by English fans at Euro 2000. Murphy described the results of his survey as "shocking." "I am sure that the clubs near the top will be up in arms at their findings -- but then again, so they should be," he said. But Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale found a positive side to the findings. "We believe the fact that Leeds United are top of this particular table is confirmation that we are proactive in working with the police and local magistrates to ensure that we do not allow such hooligans into our games and that restraining orders are in place when these hooligans are found guilty," he said.
Wimbledon striker fined for tunnel incidentWimbledon striker John Hartson was fined 5,000 pounds (US$7,500) Thursday by the Football Association for instigating a scuffle in the tunnel before a relegation game against Bradford on April 30. The Welsh international was later sent off for foul and abusive language as the Dons lost 3-0, a defeat which proved crucial in their relegation from the top flight. Bradford defender Gunnar Halle claimed Hartson "went up to Stuart McCall and raised his knee into his stomach" as the players were waiting in the stadium tunnel to go onto the pitch. Hartson pleaded guilty to a misconduct charge at Thursday's hearing. The FA decided against imposing a ban and instead settled for a fine and a warning. It's the latest in a long line of disciplinary problems which have marred Hartson's career. He has already faced three misconduct charges, receiving two fines and a three-match ban for kicking Eyal Berkovic in the head during a West Ham training. A few months ago, newspapers reported that Hartson had a bloody street fight with former Wimbledon midfielder Vinnie Jones.
Ian Wright accepts MBE from QueenCalling it a "humbling experience," former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright on Thursday received a medal from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckhingham Palace."It's the most nerve-racking thing I've ever had to do," Wright, dressed in top coat and tails, sad after receiving his MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire). "I told the Queen that I've just retired as a professional footballer and I have to say, so far, I'm not missing it," he said. Wright, 36, won 33 England caps and scored nine international goals. 22. At Arsenal, he broke Cliff Bastin's long-standing club scoring record with 185 goals. During his spell with Arsenal, the Gunners won the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup, and achieved the Cup and league double. Wright also played for West Ham and Celtic for brief periods before ending his career at Burnley, which he helped gain promotion to the first division. Some commentators have said Wright does not deserve the MBE because of his history of red cards and other confrontations on and off the pitch. Wright is now concentrating on his career as a television talk show host. "Maybe when the season starts, I'll start to miss [the game]," he said. "But I want to work with kids -- soccer schools, that sort of thing. "It was the right time for me to retire. I could never emulate the success I had with Arsenal -- it was unbelievable for me."
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