Germany: German police have charged 96 German and Polish football fans detained after a street battle in central Dortmund during Wednesday's Germany-Poland match.
The quick detention by German police of 400 hooligans in the worst World Cup violence seen so far won praise yesterday. Fifa spokesman Markus Siegler said the events were "disgusting", but showed that the police "quickly got a handle on things".
"The violence was already nipped in the bud before the match," said Wolfgang Niersbach, vice-president of the German organisational committee. He said it was proof that the carefully planned security measures were working.
"I think the images on television looked worse than it was but the good news was no one was seriously hurt and no further trouble occurred after the match."
More than 2,000 police were on duty in Dortmund on Wednesday, detaining 60 Polish fans carrying knives and metal pipes well ahead of the match.
Security at matches remained tight yesterday, particularly at the Sweden-Paraguay match at Berlin's Olympia Stadium after a Croatia fan ran out onto the pitch during the match against Brazil on Tuesday night.
The drunken 20-year-old fan, identified by police by first name Ante, dropped 2.7m into the 1.8m-wide security trench. He then made it past two security guards and onto the pitch, where he bowed at the feet of Croatia player Dado Prso.
After a few seconds, Prso escorted Ante to the side of the pitch. Ante has been charged and faces a fine of €1,140.
"There were were more than 100 wardens in the inner playing area and it is inexplicable how he got onto the field," said Gerd Graus, spokesman for the German organising committee.