Ostrava police prepared for violence around football game

Around 800 police officers will be deployed when Spartak Moscow play a UEFA Cup game against Baník Ostrava in the north Moravian city next Thursday. Both Spartak and Baník have hooligan elements among their supporters and other trouble-makers are expected to come from across the border in Poland for the match. The Czech News Agency reported that Baník hooligans had refused an internet challenge from their Russian counterparts to a 200 against 200 fight at a set location away from Ostrava’s Bazaly stadium. Polish officers will also take part in a police operation aimed at preventing trouble.