NSW:Police use video footage of football violence to id culprits

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2001
NSW:Police use video footage of football violence to id culprits

SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - Police will use video footage to try to identify rugby league
fans who went on a violent rampage during a game at Parramatta Football Stadium last night.

Six people were arrested and a police officer hospitalised after the violence erupted
during the National Rugby League game between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Macquarie Regional Commander Bruce Johnston labelled the attack on police as cowardly.

One officer was taken to hospital to receive stitches to his face after he was hit
with a full soft drink can.

"It is incredibly disturbing," Assistant Commissioner Johnston said.

"Police are there to do a job. They are not there to be the whipping post of everyone
around the place who has some sort of gripe or something they think they have to prove."

He said police were looking at video footage taken of various parts of the stadium
during the violence, which broke out as Parramatta fought back to draw 20-all with Canterbury.

Two people were arrested for offensive behaviour and throwing missiles during the game,
and 20 were ejected from the stadium by police and security between 7.30pm and 9.15pm
(AEST).

Police escorted supporters from the ground at the end of the game, however the violence
spilled over into the Parramatta CBD.

Four arrests were made outside the stadium for offensive behaviour, intimidating police
and refusing to move on.

Police blamed Bulldogs fans for starting the trouble.

The club's home games at Sydney Showground this year have been marred by crowd violence.

Fans have repeatedly trashed train carriages, and fights have broken out at games.

"The overall picture of crowd violence, or of football violence, is one I think that
clearly needs to be addressed by the NRL and the club involved," Assistant Commissioner
Johnston said.

Police would meet with the NRL next week, he said.

AAP/kp/cdh/ps/sb

KEYWORD: LEAGUE VIOLENCE SECOND LEAD

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