General Chat

Are we the only country who has football hooligans? If so, does anyone have any idea why? I thought we were a civilized country. It is very upsetting to think the England team could be kicked out of the competition because of them. PS. I know the vast majority of fans are law-abiding, and genuine football supporters.

hi suzy,its a male tribal thing,the worst part is that on a domestic level,its organised weeks ahead of a game,both sets of fans arrange to meet at a pre-arranged pub car park etc,and just kick shxt out of each other...its sick,and should be punished with custodial sentences,but if they get to court,its either a fine,or a few hrs community service...is there an answer? i have always said bring back conscription at the age of 18,two yrs in the army will show them,what being a man is all about....best wishes....bryan.

Hi Suzy, I don't know how many people are aware of the fact that two weeks before the games started Portugal and Spain put up borders. This is to check all incoming foreigners and to deny entry to all known hooligans. In the process they caught an Irishman wanted by the police. A few Angolans bringing in thousands of ecstasy pills. During the games all Portuguese citizins have to carry their i.d. on them at all times. As far as the British team is concerned they will not be kicked out because the trouble was not football related but just plain old fashion drunkeness. Lindy;-)))))

Couple of things to say on this. The mindless thugs that follow football around are NOT football fans, just idiots who want a fight. True football fans justy want to watch teh games and have a good time. Once again the idiot minority spoil things for the rest. It is worth pointing out though that they reckon more English have gone over than any other nation, so perhaps it's not surprising that there are more English trouble makers than from other countries (not trying to make excuses...). As for other nations - The dutch and the Turkish are also known for having appalling fans. I don't know about any others - they may be just as bad, just not publicised.

Just a question---why was it that a Leeds fan could be stabbed to death by a Turkish fan but Turkey were not excluded from that championship, but as soon as a single idiot Brit is arrested there is talk of excluding England? Incidentally, 700 German and Dutch apparently rioted last night, but we don't hear about that, do we? While the true supporters [at the games] behave themselves, any other trouble is totally unrelated to the football---our press are our worst enemies in this---they are looking for a story. Wendy

I think it is truly amazing that someone can commit a crime on a Monday night, and appear in court and be sentenced to two years in prison within 48 hours. Perhaps our judicial system can learn something from this.

Suzy, Do not be deceived by "window dressing" because that is all it is. Lindy;-))))

What do you mean Lindy?

Hi Suzy, It was decided that during the Euro games that all disturbances caused by foreigners shall be dealt with, within twenty four hours. Lindy;-))

Suzy - I agree with a lot of comments on this, no we're not the only ones with badly behaved 'fans' but we do get a lot of press. Feel sorry for genuine fans who have saved money and time to go to Portugal to WATCH the football! A lot of the violence is organised, and no doubt fuelled by heat and cheap booze! Saw a proramme a couple of years ago, and it seems most of the 'thug' element are men in their 30's, not adolescents.

I agree with you, Sheila. There are football hooligans from all countries, but the British press only report on the British (English) hooligans. It's like when there has been a disaster, they'd report some thing like 300people killed - one Brit cut his hand! Maggie