Police said that 19 members of La Familia, a group of "far-right football fans of Beitar Jerusalem," were charged Sunday with attempted murder. The supporters, who were arrested last month, "face charges including attempted murder, aggravated sabotage, racist offenses and illegal possession of weapons." They were charged over violence that included "attacks on the supporters of rival football teams" (AFP, 8/7).
League Two club Grimsby Town Dir John Fenty claimed smoke bombs are "being smuggled into football grounds disguised as tampons in a bid to get the pyrotechnics past stadium security." The club is "tightening up searches at Blundell Park this season after being repeatedly warned about the dangers of smoke bombs" by the FA. Cases of flares and smoke bombs being smuggled into grounds "are on the rise," and Grimsby wants to "stamp down on the issue" (London DAILY MAIL, 8/8).
Barcelona's Camp Nou will on Wednesday debut the new playing surface that was installed in July when it takes on Serie A side Sampdoria. It will "be the first time in history that Barcelona will be using a hybrid model in which synthetic fibers strengthen the natural grass" (AS, 8/8).
