English Football has its reputation for its Hooligans and troubles, but what makes people do these acts?
In 1985 because of Football Hooligans, English clubs were banned from playing in the European cup until 1990. In the 1985 European cup final between Liverpool v Juventus, 39 Juventus fans were crushed to death after Liverpool fans broke through a police barrier and attacked the Juventus fans. Many of which were families not even people who wanted to fight back. During the fighting a wall collapsed and killed some Juventus fans. This incident is widely known as the Heysel Stadium Disaster.
What encourages people to continue going to football games and doing these sorts of acts on people? Do people think it makes them a 'better' supporter?
The Hooliganism in football isn't as bad as it once was, but the problem is still there. Films have even been made about the subject including Football Factory and Green Street. I have watched both and don't see how these films are enjoyable and all I can see it doing is provoking people to go out and copy the actions in the film.
The reason behind me talking about this issue is because I have witnessed or been involved in football related incidents of violence and it angers me every time I see it.
Just last week when walking back to the train station after a game between Swindon (who I support) and Tranmere at Tranmere, a gang of around 30 kids aged 16-22 decided to head butt and punch me because of who i support. They won the game and I had said nothing to provoke the attack. If i hadn't had mentioned I was a Swindon supporter they would have just gone.
People think that adults are the fault for hooliganism but kids are now getting more involved and looking up to adults for inspiration. Kids as well will easily get away with it due to there age and because they will target other younger people who are less likely to go report it.
I have seen kids being hit by coins which is definitely not on and Kids being the ones throwing coins and objects.
In a derby match between Swindon and Oxford, play was delayed for 30 minutes due to crowd trouble and coins being thrown at opposition players. These are scenes that Football shouldn't be associated with.
These acts of violence use to be limited to local derbies but not anymore, i got attacked after a game between Swindon and Tranmere which is around 4 hours apart. Swindon 'fans' attack fans of other clubs like Bournemouth, Plymouth, Leeds, and Leicester. There is no rivalry between these teams but people fight anyway for there club, as they put it.
So, I thought to myself what does the FA do to try and prevent Football Hooliganism?
The FA following the violence at Euro 2000 where over 100 England Fans were arrested introduced measures including giving life bans from football, having family friendly stadium atmospheres and giving police more power to arrest and convict hooligans.
All seem effective ways and variable ways to combat the problem. Figures have shown that year by year football related arrests are falling which is good news but the problem is still there and I’m not sure the problem will ever go away.
Will we ever get the day when you can walk down the road with your football team’s shirt on and not have to worry if some guy thinks you deserve a head butt because you are wearing a different team to him? Who knows?
Another question to think about is, are these people football fans? Or just fighters? There is no place for people who say they are football fans to condone then going to beat someone up cause of who they support. All fans go to games and banter and have a go at the other team during the game but when it comes to meeting those fans you then don't punch one of them. When it comes to local derbies you are going to get a lot of heated action and chanting but it’s about bragging rights not fighting rights.
Let’s hope one day Football is just about the Football.
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