Mayhem and the death of Chelsea...RIP
There was mayhem on the streets of west London after Chelsea's FA Cup clash with old foes Queens Park Rangers.
Fans reported serious clashes involving the two sets of supporters and the police around several pubs, notably the Seven Stars on North End Road and Sofa So Bar on Fulham Road.
One Chelsea fan said: "I've never seen it like that outside the Bridge in recent years - not against Tottenham, West Ham or even Liverpool. There appeared to be a lot of scuffles, bottle and coin throwing."
There were 23 arrests and a 61-year-old Chelsea fan was taken to hospital with a punctured lung and three broken ribs.
The hostile atmosphere was not helped by a pre-match stunt organised by a group of QPR fans intent on marking the "death" of Chelsea as the richest club in London following the arrival of Rangers' mega-rich new investors.
They bought a coffin on ebay and daubed it with the slogan "Chelsea RIP".
The "pallbearers" then met up in Latimer Road prior to the match and attempted to carry the coffin to Stamford Bridge before police confiscated it.
A police spokesman said: "The coffin was taken into police possession as it could have been inflammatory to rival supporters."
the 61 year-old taken to hospital was bludgeoned by overzealous police as it turns out so they need to be extremely careful before they apportion the blame.
Yes I had read that elsewhere that it was the police...its like chinese whispers on tinternet sometimes!!
we just missed all the trouble at earls court as i deplore violence in any shape or form i'm glad i did.
I must admit it didnt surprise me there was trouble..there always was between the two sets of supporters :yikes:
