by sussexpob » Sun Jun 12, 2016 12:25 pm
Before we descend into searching questions about Russian culture and hooliganism, the pictures and reports (from English people) dont lie; English fans over the last three nights have behaved appallingly in Marseille, and also have to take a lot of blame for what is happening. My comments from last night were about the incidents inside the stadium, but in the streets it seems no side can claim any moral high grounds, as all have acted disgustingly. Racist songs about winning wars for France, and "ten German bombers" in a country that has yet to get over the mental damage of recent terrorist attacks, I cant even begin to say how poor this behavious it. Throwing bottles at police, drunken songs...... In one piece of footage I seen on the news this morning, a group of about 10-15 England fans attack a cafe where Russian fans are drinking, throwing metal tables and chairs.... these were Russians, wearing team colours and drinking coffee with their wives, enjoying the sunshine. Not bear chested hooligans chanting back and ready for a fight.
As for the stadium, the Russian media are quite clearly downplaying the level and extent of violence, but I have not seen any comments about them "winning" and certainly no comments that try's to suggest it was initiated by anyone but the Russian fans. In fact, flicking through the state media there, they have posted all the videos that show Russian fans coming into the England end. The only media outlet I have seen not blaming the Russians, is the French. Who last night had a reporter in front of the England fans who were desperately running away who had the nerve to suggest that in someway this was there fault. The Russians themselves clearly accept blame for their fans. When discussions turn to the street, its much more open, but its clear the Russians and the English are to blame there.
As for 2018, its worth noting that when 1996 was announced those at UEFA were more than a little concerned about fan problems. Leonart Johannson, the UEFA president from Sweden, famously said on England being awarded the tournament that he was concerned about England hosting the tournament. At that stage, 90 plus people had died in an English stadium just before, and England fans had been involved in the Brussels/Heysel incident in a similar but much worse result to actions last night.
Russian football has a problem with Ultras, but England had problems with this too.
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And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!