Azzuri banned from all away matches after trouble in Sofia - but is this indicative of the rest of world football?
Thursday, 23 October 08, 07:43 PM · Comments(1)
After coins had been thrown, fans were phoning in complaining of foul language and spitting, and racism had even been suggested at one match – Alan suggested that a culture of fear was coming back into football, and with it the beginnings of a death of the relaxed, have-a-good-time attitude that characterised (on the whole) the late 90s and early naughties.
Sure – I for one am certainly not one to advocate having every fan sitting down on tartan rugs, sipping their milky tea and politely applauding good sportsmanship on either side... After all, I was heartily getting stuck in to the whisper-quiet Wolverhampton fans from the away end, two fingers thrust firmly at them and belting out witty chants (well... singing ‘yam yam yam yam yam’ at fat lads as they wobbled of to get their halftime pies anyway).
But really, albeit with a slightly semantically violent edge, it was all in fun – and when the cheers harangued back at me after Wolves had scored their second well... I took it. I certainly didn’t bear those people any true malice, and if they had wanted to share a post game pint, I would have been more than happy to oblige (as long as they were paying of course).
But it seems that the number of violent incidents keep increasing, and after recent horrible scenes during Italy’s 0-0 draw with Bulgaria, which saw the Azzurri throwing bottles, making fascist salutes and burning a Bulgarian flag – one wonders if the climate of the game is slowly changing. Accordingly, the Italian FA have taken the strict step of indefinitely banning their own supporters from away games after the trouble – but will it stop there?
We at DSOTB doubt it – and although FIGC President says of these hooligans that "I don't believe they are fans but individuals who are prone to delinquent behaviour with the intention of damaging the image of our nation”, he cannot deny that the game in Italy has been plagued with violence in the last couple of years.
As to whether this is just a flash in the pan though, or something more sinister – we may have to wait and see. Do you think the stands have been getting more violent, or am I just being a pussy? Let us know your thoughts...
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darkside_of_the_ball
GB
Naughty bits of football and footballers private lives
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Italians are cowards, when it comes to fighting.