The Sport Matrix: Friday 22 November 2013

Police concerned by complacency over hooliganism

Police have warned that English football risks complacency in the fight against hooliganism after a supporter’s guilty plea for a breach of banning orders revealed the lengths to which some will go to maintain a presence at games.

The orders are a source of deep suspicion among football fans, with evidence that some forces are imposing them for crimes as minor as drunkenness or swearing. But police insisted they were the only way of deterring supporters capable of causing disorder and said the case of Manchester United fan Paul Hodgson revealed the challenge of enforcing them.

Hodgson, who was told he may now face jail, was tracked to a hotel in San Sebastian two weeks ago after spinning an elaborate web of deceit to evade his ban and attend the club’s game against Real Sociedad.

Police said Hodgson’s charade to avoid detection demonstrated the need for resources to underpin the banning-order regime, at a time when the number of orders issued has fallen.

“If we don’t keep a lid on it, it would not take a lot for it to become a national embarrassment again,” said Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, commander of Greater Manchester Police’s Trafford district, which covers the policing of United. MORE

Wenger: Wilshere fit to face Southampton

Arsène Wenger insists Jack Wilshere is fit to play for Arsenal against Southampton tomorrow, and that he was relaxed about the player’s involvement for England during the recent internationals. Wilshere picked up a calf knock during his brief time on the pitch against Germany. MORE

Carroll’s foot injury worries Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has no idea when record signing Andy Carroll will be able to return from a foot injury. “It’s obviously a great worry and concern for us all,” said Allardyce, whose side are only above the relegation zone on goal difference and host Chelsea tomorrow. MORE

Froch: Groves will ‘run for his life’

Carl Froch believes his experience will count in tomorrow’s world super-middleweight title fight with George Groves. Froch said: “My experience at the top level, my punching power and George’s lack of ability to take a punch is going to be why he’s going to come to the ring and run for his life.” MORE

Broad: Crowd insults were ‘good fun’

England’s Stuart Broad came up with the perfect response to sledging from the Australian crowd, taking 5 for 65 as the hosts ended the first day of the first Test on 273 for 8. “I’d braced myself to expect it and actually it was good fun,” said Broad. “It does not spur me on, that is for sure.” MORE

Jamie Roberts

Wales centre explains why he loves working for Warren Gatland ahead of his 100th match as an international coach, against Tonga tonight, and assesses the prodigious talent of teenage winger Hallam Amos, who is set to make his debut. MORE

European status quo backed by unions

The future of European club competition was thrown into further confusion yesterday when the French, Irish, Italian, Scottish and Welsh unions backed the existing Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup and not the English and French clubs’ planned breakaway tournament. MORE

McNamara omits Chase for semi-final

England’s coach Steve McNamara has dropped Rangi Chase for tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. The Kiwi-born Castleford stand-off has played throughout the tournament so far, but produced an error-strewn display in the quarter-final against France. MORE