Commissioner defends police actions at Ta' Qali

Police Commissioner John Rizzo yesterday vehemently defended the corps' handling of the post-match incidents between Malta and Croatia last Wednesday, even if a FIFA report probing the fracas is expected to claim that some policemen hurled back seats thrown at them by Croat hooligans.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Mr Rizzo insisted that the response by the police was smooth, effective and efficient.

But Croat Football Federation security commissioner Zoran Cvrk reiterated his criticism of the Maltese police yesterday, saying they fuelled the violence, rather than dispelled it, with their "unprofessional" approach.

A section of the 500 or so Croatian supporters at Ta' Qali run amok at the final whistle on Wednesday, as Malta clinched an unexpected draw during a 2006 World Cup qualifier. A total of 103 Croatians were arraigned in court on Thursday in connection with the incidents.

Mr Rizzo said he had film footage in his possession, which proved that that the police were the victims during the ensuing battle.

"At the time there were only eight policeman in the VIP area. They tried to calm down the supporters, but instead they were punched and kicked, accompanied by a shower of seats."

By the time the incidents were over - after police reinforcements arrived - no fewer than 16 policemen had been injured in the mêlée. Many of the Croats covered their faces with red and white national football shirts.

Asked what he made of the claims that the police returned the same missiles hurled at them, Mr Rizzo replied:

"I don't exclude that some police officers tried to defend themselves. Of course, if any member of police retaliated, then he did wrong. But, one has to look at the circumstances that were developing at the time.

"We didn't charge into the enclosure with tear gas and truncheons to beat anyone up," Mr Rizzo said.

"We removed children and vulnerable people from the stands first. We treated all those arrested well at all times. We even accompanied the rest of the Croatians to the airport to ensure there was no trouble," a clearly upset Mr Rizzo said.

He said the police had now started identifying and could charge any Maltese who may have in any way been involved in the incidents, even if they were retaliating.

During a pre-match meeting with FIFA officials, the Maltese police, and the Malta Football Association on Wednesday morning, Mr Cvrk expressed concern that the Croat supporters would jump into the pitch in jubilation at the end of the game.

In view of this concern, the police took adequate measures to avoid this happening, the Malta police said.

Mr Cvrk acknowledged that the supporters' behaviour was a blot on Croatia's track record and would prompt heavy punishment from FIFA.

However, he pointed to what he described as a series of shortcomings by the Maltese authorities.

The police, Mr Cvrk said, should have arrested those who were hurling the stadium seats at once, rather than throw the seats back.

"Of course, I'm not blaming the Maltese police for what happened. The blame lies squarely with a small section of the Croatian supporters, but police should be trained to cope with such situations," he said.

Mr Cvrk said he had been informed that the FIFA disciplinary committee would in fact be mentioning this particular reaction from the Maltese police.

While acknowledging that the scale of violence at Ta' Qali last Wednesday was alarming, the Croat official insisted that it should in no way justify the police and spectators in the VIP area fighting back. After all, over 90 per cent of the Croat supporters at the stadium were tourists and businessmen, who steered away from the incidents.

"We estimated that there were between 50 and 60 who could have been potential trouble-makers. It's therefore quite unfair that some of the people arraigned in court were in fact not guilty of anything.

"It's also evident that a number of Maltese citizens were involved in the fighting. Why hasn't anyone been arrested?" he asked.

Mr Cvrk ultimately, however, echoed his government's widespread apology to the Maltese people and government.

"I can assure you that the Croatian people are ashamed and very sad with what has happened. This incident is not tantamount to any war between Croatia and Malta... especially as we are preparing to join the EU," Mr Cvrk said.