Riot police used batons, shields, and tear gas to disperse rioting soccer fans in the neighbourhood of Pleasantview in Loyalty Bay after it was ruled last night that the Heartland tournament would not take place this spring in Liverpool.

A controversy had arisen since two tournaments were going on at the same time, the Biswald Cup and the now postponed Heartland Cup.  With the National team from the neighbourhood of North Beach in Loyalty Bay heading to the Biswald Cup it fell on the 2nd place team from 2004 to represent that nation at the Heartland Cup.

Pleasantview and North Beach have a huge rivalry so this was looked upon as a chance for Pleasantview to redeem themselves after their loss to North Beach in last year's championship.

Instead however it appears the Ravens will not represent the nation at all.  At word of the news of the postponement of the Heartland Cup, fans of the North Beach Sharks were dancing in the streets celebrating stating that, 'we will represent the country at that tournament as it should be'.  As word spread to the neighbourhood of Pleasantview of the Heartland Sporting Authority decision, and the likelihood that they would not be represented at the Heartland Cup tournament therefore, the hooliganism began.

________________________________________

'...The Heartland Cup is sanctioned by the Heartland International Football Association (HIFA). BOTH are sanctioned! Both will be played. Both will NOT be played simutaneouly...'

-Heartland Sporting Authority Representative.

________________________________________

A representative of the Heartland Sporting Authority could not be reached for comment, though point 5 in their declaration on the controversy clearly noted that, 'Take this how you want, the Biswald Cup is sanctioned by the Heartland International Football Association (HIFA). The Heartland Cup is sanctioned by the Heartland International Football Association (HIFA). BOTH are sanctioned! Both will be played. Both will NOT be played simutaneouly. We WILL NOT choose sides on which touneney to play in. The Heartland Cup will remain a Fall Tourney, as it always has been. The Biswald Cup will remain a Spring Tourney, as it has been begun as that.'

A police representative noted that within 15 minutes of police arriving in Pleasantview, the rioting crowd had been dispersed, though with a few trouble makers still, 'running amuck', firefighters had yet to be called in to put out the fires.

Police move in early this morning as cars were lit on fire in the neighbourhood of Pleasantview in Loyalty Bay.