Hooligans run riot at soccer match

Football fans have been arrested after violence broke out and catering stands were ransacked during a Carling Cup fixture.
Eight fans were arrested at the match between Barnsley and Manchester United at Oakwell stadium after trouble flared, a spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said.
Eight catering staff were trapped inside a food kiosk and had to barricade themselves in a store room for about 25 minutes as fans broke in and stole cash from the till and food from the shelves.
Stewards on the pitch also had food thrown at them during the violence, marring United's 2-0 fourth-round win.
The spokesman said: "One police officer suffered a minor facial injury. Eight fans were arrested, four Manchester United fans and four Barnsley fans. They have been taken to Barnsley police station."
A heavy on-pitch police presence was visible during the trouble.
Police in riot gear were pelted with bottles as they attempted to restore order in the concourse of the north stand, and police dogs were employed to drive fans back from the pitch.
The police spokesman also said that after the game two more people were arrested after fans jumped on to railway tracks in a bid to stop the Barnsley to Sheffield train before it had started moving.
Barnsley FC said it would launch an investigation into the violence, accusing Manchester United fans of causing "substantial damage" at the stadium. The club has complained to police, who are to carry out their own inquiry into the incident.
A Barnsley spokesman said: "The club is going to launch a full investigation as soon as possible after substantial damage was caused in the concourse of the north stand. A complaint has been made to the police, and we will be taking a look at CCTV footage of the incident before we can comment further."

Ponting questions merits of a long bilateral series

Ponting questions merits of a long bilateral seriesGaurav Gupta, TNN 22 October 2009, 01:12am IST
MUMBAI: There was a pertinent point that Australian captain Ricky Ponting made at his first press conference of the upcoming series at a suburban
hotel on Wednesday. He questioned the necessity of a seven-match ODI series, the first of which begins in Baroda on Sunday. "Over the last couple of years, I have said a few times that seven games in a bilateral series is too many. Five is enough, but we all know the reasons why we play a seven-game series. As players, we have to just get on with it and hope to win," the 34-year-old remarked, taking a swipe at cricket boards' preference for money over players' interests. Before his departure, Ponting had talked about ways to spruce up ODIs. He elaborated upon the idea on Wednesday, while ripping apart cricket administrators' lust for money. "As a player, whenever you play a game of cricket, you want something riding on it. Test matches are probably different from the fact that I don't think I have ever played in a meaningless game. But it is hard to maintain your focus when you are playing a seven-match ODI series against one side in a matter of a couple of weeks. If we are interested in keeping the 50-over game as a great spectacle, then there must be a points system. It is boring when the team batting first is bowled out for around 180 and the team batting second goes out and takes no risks whatsoever and picks the runs in 40-45 overs. But if you had a points system, then the side batting second can score the runs in 30 overs and pick up a bonus point to move up the table," Ponting suggested. This seven-game series, though, might not seem long drawn out for 'Punter', as long as he is able to keep Australia's unbeaten record in ODI series since 1986, intact. 'Sachin, a benchmark' There is also the battle with Sachin Tendulkar to look forward to, if not for Ponting, then at least for the fans who see the Aussie as a threat to the Indian legend's frightening numbers. During the Champions Trophy, Ponting had revealed how he had almost given up the idea of catching up with Sachin unless the Indian decided to call it a day. "It would be nice if he retires some time," Ponting said in jest. Only admiration for India Ponting's words were measured, his tone was soft. There was no boasting, no pot-shots at the opposition. "We have always enjoyed playing in India and against India. Our rivalry over the last few years has been growing and it's good for the world game," he said. He even brushed aside Brett Lee's prediction of a 7-0 whitewash in favour of the Aussies. "I think he (Lee) has taken over from Glenn McGrath," he said, breaking into a wry smile. What will add to that smile is the water-tight security cover that the Aussies have received here. "We have been very impressed. From the moment we stepped off the plane yesterday we have had excellent security," Ponting said.