Danes
Protest Israel Football Game
Agence France-Presse
COPENHAGEN
April 17, 2002
More than 200 people were arrested at the Denmark versus Israel
World Cup warm-up fixture here on Wednesday, police said.
About 150 anti-Israeli demonstrators were apprehended after refusing
to disband during a demonstration near the Parken stadium calling
for peace in the Middle East.
About 50 others were arrested just before the fixture when about
200 young supporters tried to penetrate the security perimeter around
the stadium, clashing with dog-handling police officers.
The cold and rainy conditions dampened much of the demonstrators'
ardour, though small groups continued their action in the streets
surrounding the stadium, closely watched by anti-riot police.
In the stadium, which was three-quarters empty, two young supporters
got on to the pitch after Denmark went into an early two-goal lead,
one with a T-shirt saying "Boycott Israel" and both waving
small Palestinian flags.
Both were quickly apprehended by security personnel. Ten minutes
later, another fan tried to make his protest known but was quickly
apprehended by police.
About 3,000 police were drafted in for this high-risk match.
Three anti-Israel demonstrations had been scheduled in the Danish
city earlier in the day. A threat had also been made by anonymous
letter to the Danish football federation (DBU), published by a newspaper,
saying there would be a bomb attack during the game unless the match
was cancelled.
Meanwhile nearly six thousand spectators, out of 17,600 tickets
sold, had their ticket money reimbursed, the DBU said.
Many spectators said they wanted their money back in protest against
the escalating violence in the Middle East.
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