Question for Soccer (Football) Fans

[BlueJ1]

We see riots every once in awhile when a city's NFL, MLB, Or NBA teams win their championship. But it seems like yall over seas have a riot weekly at each game. How many do you really have on average during the year? And who are the green street hooligans?


Im sure Furball wont comment. He has to keep a low profile.

[Bruv119]

BlueJ I think many films have tried to make it sound like that.

The truth is Football matches these days are usually quite timid (at least all the games to i've been too in the last 5 years).  If there was any fighting it would be idiots getting drunk after the game and looking for it.  Not a riot at all.

Maybe the London clubs have more of a history.  There are many different clubs in the same city.  

There is always a big police presence before and after matches that might not have been the case 20 years ago.

The Italians would worry more.  Roma, Lazio etc.  I think it was Di Canio who did a friggin Heilt Hitler arm salute to the fans  

Some Manchester United fans get stabbed everytime they go there in the champions league.  

Bruv
~S~

[BlueJ1]

ok thankyou.

So what would be considered the two groups that have/still duke it out the most?

[Bruv119]

Theres the obvious rivalries whether they duking it out fighting in the streets is another matter.


Portsmouth vs Scummers  (they are in a lower league now where they belong )
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Chelsea vs Fulham
Man Utd vs Man City
Liverpool vs Everton
Aston Villa vs Birmingham
Newcastle vs Sunderland

Millwall vs anyone

[Furball]

Originally posted by BlueJ1
We see riots every once in awhile when a city's NFL, MLB, Or NBA teams win their championship. But it seems like yall over seas have a riot weekly at each game. How many do you really have on average during the year? And who are the green street hooligans?


Im sure Furball wont comment. He has to keep a low profile.

Large riots/football hooliganism never happen in England any more.  Occasionally there will be a small scale organised fight between the 'Football Firms' (gangs of supporters) but it is nothing on the scale of a riot.  

This is due to the police controlling fans, all seater stadiums, CCTV, and the difference in people going to watch the games.  Ticket prices are so expensive that it is no longer a working class game - tickets start from about $70 and go up to whatever you want to pay really.  Also there are a lot more families and women who go and watch the games these days.  The real problem for hooliganism was back in the late 70's and 80's.

The English supporters get an unfair label these days because of the past.  When English teams or England play abroad, opposing fans try and instigate trouble and this gets blown out of all proportion by the press.

The only place i know of where it happens on a large scale now is Italy, the hooligans were basically at full out war with the police a few months ago and i think an officer was killed - maybe gian can tell you more.

Generally in English matches now there are rarely more than 2 or 3 arrests for 30 - 75,000 people going to watch each game and is more of a family atmosphere.

There is a TV show called Real Football Factories which probably tells you everything you want to know.

Check out the related links here: -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0W8Kt969U

[BlueJ1]

Thanks alot Furball sir. I'll watch tomorrow at work.

Are/we're these gangs only game oriented or did they also take part in other things more illegal? In a organized crime sort of way?

[CyranoAH]

Hooligans here are quite controlled, and incidents are very few and far between.

Nevertheless, the police is always there in numbers, and in some specific matches, the supporters are always kept separated, even on their way to the stadium.

Daniel

[68Wooley]

Originally posted by Bruv119
Theres the obvious rivalries whether they duking it out fighting in the streets is another matter.


Portsmouth vs Scummers  (they are in a lower league now where they belong )
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Chelsea vs Fulham
Man Utd vs Man City
Liverpool vs Everton
Aston Villa vs Birmingham
Newcastle vs Sunderland

Millwall vs anyone

You missed the big one:

Rangers vs Celtic

Although all out riots are rare due to the police presence, nothing quite beats an Old Firm match for 90 minutes of pure bigoted hatred.

[Dowding]

You are too fixated on the Premiership, Bruv. Stoke's more committed supporters are nasty, for instance.

In my neck of the woods, Sheffield United versus Sheffield Wednesday is still a bit tasty - I know people who are in the 'firms' for both sides.

However, the bad old days of the '70s and '80s are long gone. The naughty boys I know admit its not like it was. The older ones who were causing mayhem back then have given it up because the police are far better at their jobs these days. I lifetime ban and criminal record are difficult to overcome.

The Italians and Turkish are the nutcases - they get alot less press, however. Even when they are stabbing each other to death... it's still characterised as an 'English' disease.

[Ripsnort]

Major League Soccer coming to Seattle this year  We may buy season tickets.