German football hooliganism

News artical linked

With The Football World Cup coming to Germany next year, I can’t help feeling that it would be prudent to stay home for all matches. This article doesn’t actually say it or even hint that this was a practice run for the hooligans, but I can’t help thinking that it may have been.

wheres the story mack?
i heard something on the radio in the car earlyer what have the naughty little tinkers been up to this time?

Click on the "news artical linked" above Yamser

got it this time.
the article was unavailable last time i tried.

I did wonder what you meant, I did test the link, it was working when I posted it. Either way, with so few tickets sold and so much aggro... does make you wonder why, after all the match was insignificant.

The hooligans will have figured the local police as a "soft target". And judging by the reports, they were sadly right. That kind of thing wouldn't happen in Italy, Holland or England, as they'd get battered by the police, if not the locals, too.

I would rather go to work and not have the subject of (German) hooligans mentioned--than--the comments and questions I get when so called England fans have decided to rearrange a small town.

Being able to speak the lingo does help to keep the peace --as I have found out many times in Germany--accept the offer of a beer and a chat and things look a little different.

Andy

I wouldt worry too much about it. The German police have decades worth of experience of policing national, European and International football matches.

Whilst there will be minority groups from certain nations looking for trouble, the joint intelligence operatoins between the German authorities and foreign organisations (such as the NCIS in the UK) should result in a well policed 2006 WC.

As mentioned above, this happened outside of Germany, where the policing would have been less organised and less informed.

The best peace of advice I could give on matchday would be to avoid central places where large groups are likely to congregate. Its usually here that situations are most tense and prone to kick off, esp when alcohol is involved.

you know what really bothers me .. IF the next world cup were to be held in England, and the English fans had behaved as the Germans did last week, there would by now be a major international discussion taking place about the validity of allowing England to a) stage the finals and/or whether England could take part at all. Likely heading these discussions would probably be the traditional English bashers France and .. Germany!

Or is this me just being cynical?

I agree with you completely maaph.

At the risk of blubbing about how the rest of Europe seems to hate England (when it comes to football), these are the facts:

Turkish hooliganism - without doubt, every non-Turkish team in Europe hates getting drawn against Galatasaray, Fenerbahce etc because of the hassle they get there. The Juves, Reals, Arsenals of this world are not guaranteed an away win here because of the hatred with which they are met. Buses/pitches/people pelted by missiles, fans murdered, what have Fifa or Uefa done... the occasional slap on the wrist/paltry fine/game behind closed doors.

German / Dutch hooliganism - a long history of hooliganism here, especially between the two sides. I happen to work with a German hooligan who goes hooliganing (sic) every weekend, sometimes drawing up to 200 or so hooligans to kick the crap out of each other. What happens here... sweet FA.

Spanish racism - while racism is a problem throughout Europe, the recent heavily publicised actions of Spanish fans and their national coach appears to be a particular problem. The action of Spanish FA/Uefa... worthless fines.

There are more examples, but I've made my point.

Next year, there will be "Horror as English fans cross road when red man is on, FIFA warns England that any repeat of this conduct will result in their expulsion from the tournament"... whooah there Framps, whooah...I've got carried away. If you made it this far, thanks for sticking with my rant!

Boo hoo, everyone hates us

Q At an airport, how can you tell which plane has just arrived from England?

A The whining continues even after the engines have stopped...

Good one Jonnyboy

maaph, I dont think you are being paranoid, but consideration is more than likely given to our appaling track record over the years.

Framp, yes other nations have their problems, but as with the English domestic league supporters, this is mainly contained and controlled within the borders of the respective countries. the same cant be said of the England team when they play abroad. Though the situation is improving theres little trust afforded to the band of England fans travelling abroad, due to the consistently senseless actions of a minority set.

I defo agree with you both in some respects though. Theres still a stigma attached to English football that far outweighs the reality of the problem. Meanwhile, the Italian football authorities, along with UEFA turn a blind eye or are too scared to deal with the violent, facist Ultra groups that seem to rule Italian terraces and oppress their own fans, the ones they purport to be the voice of.

I'm off to Turin next week for the CL match. I've taken what I believe to be necessary precautions to ensure I dont get picked off by anyone Ultras looking for an easy target, but these people are determined to cause problems and I'm sure something will happen. Its at this point I will be watching UEFA with interest to see how they respond.

Cheers,
Gareth

@Gareth,
I was talking to a colleague this morning about the "alleged" preparations being made in Turin for the Liverpool supporters. Like you, I believe there is unfortunately the likelihood of a major incident.

I don't condone violence of any sort, nor can there ever be any real justification - but after the efforts of LFC and the supporters earlier this week, I will be able to understand if there is a reaction. Let's just hope the local police get it right ...

Keep out of their way next week mate, but enjoy the game - I will be doing so in the comfort of my (relatively) local pub, the Corkonian in Köln ...

COME ON YOU REDS !!!

I have (probably unwisely) tried to attach a little video clip that a friend took of Scottish fans at the San Siro when Scotland played there the weekend before last. They do as much drinking as the English, but never a fight...

He has been there a number of times when Man U fans go over for a CL match - says they tear the town and pubs apart and are a downright disgrace. The Scots? The Milanese loved them - had never seen anything like it before. "Men in skirts?"

The Corkonian? Haha! Been in there! Thats the one in the Automart right?

Came over from England for the Leverkusen game, a couple of weeks before I left to come to Germany permanently. We spent a bit of time in there on the Tuesday and Wednesday. Unfortunately they closed it early on the Tuesday cos they had problems a few years before with Utd fans.

We went to another Irish bar as well, but cant remember the name. It was the one where Benitez walked in to watch the Chelsea - Barca game. Got loads of pictures of him on my camera phone, standing next to a mate