5 German Fans Given 2 Years in Soccer Brawl

Five German fans were sentenced to two years in prison today for their participation in the violence preceding Sunday’s West Germany-Yugoslavia World Cup match.

They were released on bail but ordered to stay away from the 12 Italian cities playing host to World Cup matches.

The charges--including resisting arrest, causing bodily injury and vandalism--resulted from clashes that began when the Germans throwing rocks, firecrackers and bottles attacked a group of Yugoslavs waving their flag on the steps of the Duomo, Milan’s spire-topped cathedral.

It took police using batons and tear gas more than two hours to restore order.

Authorities estimated that 1,000 Germans were involved in the clashes and in a window-smashing and looting rampage through the center of the city. Italian newspapers said the 30 injured included police, fans and passers-by.

Forty German and four German-speaking Swiss soccer fans were expelled from the country, 14 others were arrested, and four more were issued citations and ordered to leave Italy.

Authorities blamed alcohol use for much of the rampage. Milan had banned the sale and serving of alcohol for the day of the game, but many fans had beer bottles in their cars, apparently purchased outside Milan or brought into Italy from their home country.