Shapers
04-20-2007, 07:49 PM
FOOTAGE of some of the worst football violence seen in Liverpool in recent years is being sold on the internet and much of it was filmed by Merseyside Police.
The trade in hooligan DVDs on dedicated websites and auction sites has created its own mini-industry and the film uses images that have clearly been taken by police officers on foot, horse and helicopter.
“The Battle of the Valley”, between Everton and Manchester Utd supporters, was described as the biggest of its kind ever seen on Merseyside.
Police condemned the sale of the footage as “completely irresponsible” and launched legal action to prevent sales continuing after being made aware of the trade by the Daily Post.
More than 500 police officers were deployed to keep the supporters apart before their FA Cup tie on February 9, 2005.
A mass brawl erupted after the match in Everton Valley and away fans were ambushed as police tried to walk them down Kirkdale Road. It is thought the official police footage may have made its way into the wrong hands after being handed over to third parties as part of the legal process during prosecutions.
Emotions had already been running high in the city on the matchday.
It was Wayne Rooney’s first appearance at Goodison Park since the lifelong Evertonian signed for Manchester United.
The DVD footage of the event takes in the rising atmosphere of the day.
A later kick-off time of 5.30pm because of television rights was largely thought to add to the chaos, and tensions were high after Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll was struck by a coin.
The film provides almost an hour of footage from a number of vantage points including CCTV on Kirkdale Road and at Goodison Park, from a police officer on horseback and the police helicopter.
Chief Superintendent Andy Ward, area commander for Liverpool North, said: “We are aware of all this footage.
“It is a mixture of police, Citywatch and club material which formed part of our investigation into the disturbances around the Everton v Manchester United game on February 9, 2005.
“Much, if not all, of this material was accessible to a number of people and agencies due to the court action which was taken as a result of incidents on that date.
“I must also remind people that this footage remains the copyright of the organisation which filmed it.
“In light of the recent problems of football-related violence experienced by many clubs across the UK, the sale of this sort of DVD is completely irresponsible. It glorifies behaviour which is reprehensible and spoils the enjoyment of the game for the vast majority of law-abiding fans.”
Before the match, the DVD shows Manchester United fans being escorted by police through Liverpool city centre towards Goodison.
The only sound is a constant soundtrack of house music.
Outside Goodison, a police barricade separates the factions as they enter the stadium.
Film from the camera of the officer on horseback shows that at this point hundreds of fans are involved. Cars are seen stranded in the sea of bodies, and groups of fans are taunting each other.
By the time the match had finished, night had fallen.
Night-camera footage shows hundreds of men teeming through the streets.
The camera on the police helicopter follows its spotlight as it homes in on people on the ground below.
It is about 40 minutes into the DVD when a mass brawl erupts in Everton Valley.
The action then moves to a CCTV camera installed on Kirkdale Road.
One group of supporters ambushes the other, storming past police.
Viewers see a man being restrained on the ground as the area swarms with police vans.
In the aftermath of the “Battle of the Valley”, 33 people were arrested.
Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe ordered a report into the violence and the Football Association held talks with Everton.
Hooligan websites claim their video footage is all legal.
Despite the film being marked with a “copyright” attributed to the website where it was purchased, the copyright remains with the organisation which filmed it.
One website promoting hooligan DVDs states: “Court cases up and down the country are built around the crystal clear footage of brawls, fights and assaults which take place around football grounds and in city centres.
“Once upon a time the police would draw their baton and wade in, arresting troublemakers as they go.
“Now they hide in bushes armed with nothing more than an expensive camera, David Bellamy-style.
“When the dust has settled and sentences have been served though, the video footage which proves so vital in the courtroom finds its way to an altogether different arena, and hooligan DVDs are born.”
One website boasts the following businesslike disclaimer: “Our company is built on the principles of making quality products and providing reliable service.”
The website offers money to anyone who can provide hooligan footage.
Merseyside Police instructed a copyright law specialist to look at the case.
The force issued a solicitor’s letter instructing withdrawal of the DVD in the next seven days and otherwise threatening court action.
Last night, the owner of the UK website agreed to withdraw the DVDs from sale, and shut down his internet site.
But it appears videos also entitled “Everton v Man Utd 2005 Battle of the Valley” were still being sold last night through Dutch websites.
It was unclear whether this was footage filmed by police or onlookers.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: “The owner of the website has responded to our solicitor’s letter and agreed to withdraw the DVD from sale with immediate effect.
“He has also agreed to close the website down.”
She added: “We will investigate the possibility of further action against any website found selling or distributing this material.”
The trade in hooligan DVDs on dedicated websites and auction sites has created its own mini-industry and the film uses images that have clearly been taken by police officers on foot, horse and helicopter.
“The Battle of the Valley”, between Everton and Manchester Utd supporters, was described as the biggest of its kind ever seen on Merseyside.
Police condemned the sale of the footage as “completely irresponsible” and launched legal action to prevent sales continuing after being made aware of the trade by the Daily Post.
More than 500 police officers were deployed to keep the supporters apart before their FA Cup tie on February 9, 2005.
A mass brawl erupted after the match in Everton Valley and away fans were ambushed as police tried to walk them down Kirkdale Road. It is thought the official police footage may have made its way into the wrong hands after being handed over to third parties as part of the legal process during prosecutions.
Emotions had already been running high in the city on the matchday.
It was Wayne Rooney’s first appearance at Goodison Park since the lifelong Evertonian signed for Manchester United.
The DVD footage of the event takes in the rising atmosphere of the day.
A later kick-off time of 5.30pm because of television rights was largely thought to add to the chaos, and tensions were high after Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll was struck by a coin.
The film provides almost an hour of footage from a number of vantage points including CCTV on Kirkdale Road and at Goodison Park, from a police officer on horseback and the police helicopter.
Chief Superintendent Andy Ward, area commander for Liverpool North, said: “We are aware of all this footage.
“It is a mixture of police, Citywatch and club material which formed part of our investigation into the disturbances around the Everton v Manchester United game on February 9, 2005.
“Much, if not all, of this material was accessible to a number of people and agencies due to the court action which was taken as a result of incidents on that date.
“I must also remind people that this footage remains the copyright of the organisation which filmed it.
“In light of the recent problems of football-related violence experienced by many clubs across the UK, the sale of this sort of DVD is completely irresponsible. It glorifies behaviour which is reprehensible and spoils the enjoyment of the game for the vast majority of law-abiding fans.”
Before the match, the DVD shows Manchester United fans being escorted by police through Liverpool city centre towards Goodison.
The only sound is a constant soundtrack of house music.
Outside Goodison, a police barricade separates the factions as they enter the stadium.
Film from the camera of the officer on horseback shows that at this point hundreds of fans are involved. Cars are seen stranded in the sea of bodies, and groups of fans are taunting each other.
By the time the match had finished, night had fallen.
Night-camera footage shows hundreds of men teeming through the streets.
The camera on the police helicopter follows its spotlight as it homes in on people on the ground below.
It is about 40 minutes into the DVD when a mass brawl erupts in Everton Valley.
The action then moves to a CCTV camera installed on Kirkdale Road.
One group of supporters ambushes the other, storming past police.
Viewers see a man being restrained on the ground as the area swarms with police vans.
In the aftermath of the “Battle of the Valley”, 33 people were arrested.
Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe ordered a report into the violence and the Football Association held talks with Everton.
Hooligan websites claim their video footage is all legal.
Despite the film being marked with a “copyright” attributed to the website where it was purchased, the copyright remains with the organisation which filmed it.
One website promoting hooligan DVDs states: “Court cases up and down the country are built around the crystal clear footage of brawls, fights and assaults which take place around football grounds and in city centres.
“Once upon a time the police would draw their baton and wade in, arresting troublemakers as they go.
“Now they hide in bushes armed with nothing more than an expensive camera, David Bellamy-style.
“When the dust has settled and sentences have been served though, the video footage which proves so vital in the courtroom finds its way to an altogether different arena, and hooligan DVDs are born.”
One website boasts the following businesslike disclaimer: “Our company is built on the principles of making quality products and providing reliable service.”
The website offers money to anyone who can provide hooligan footage.
Merseyside Police instructed a copyright law specialist to look at the case.
The force issued a solicitor’s letter instructing withdrawal of the DVD in the next seven days and otherwise threatening court action.
Last night, the owner of the UK website agreed to withdraw the DVDs from sale, and shut down his internet site.
But it appears videos also entitled “Everton v Man Utd 2005 Battle of the Valley” were still being sold last night through Dutch websites.
It was unclear whether this was footage filmed by police or onlookers.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: “The owner of the website has responded to our solicitor’s letter and agreed to withdraw the DVD from sale with immediate effect.
“He has also agreed to close the website down.”
She added: “We will investigate the possibility of further action against any website found selling or distributing this material.”