Tbh I'm surprised you hold any truck with these generalisations. It's a bit like when people say that all Yanks are stupid/loud etc.
Interesting this. Heavy handed policing in the UK is not what it is in France. I have been walking home here and been hit with tear gas. They just don't mess around and aren't hesitant to make the first move if they feel they are going to be attacked. Not saying it is right, but it is just accepted that is how policing is done here.
Also worth noting, the media are reporting that trouble started brewing at Place de Nation, which was used as a 'holding pen' (horrible term when used in reference to humans imo) for Liverpool fans. I have just walked through Nation dropping off my kids and then walking home, and it doesn't look any different to me at all. From what I read in a few media sources I was expecting the place to be destroyed, but it is no different.
Liverpool was always known as the thieving capital of the UK. And from my experience, with good reason. No reason to doubt the Watford pub example imo. Liverpool call those involved in disorder and lower end crime Scallies. I'm sorry that decent Liverpool fans got caught up in heavy handed policing but I suspect it was provoked by a minority of their fans. I've not heard of many Real Madrid fans suffering the same. You have ask why.
There do seem to be a number of national traits at work here: 1 Whenever a game as big as this arrives the forgers sell thousands to the fans who never seem to question how the salesman got his hands on them in the first place. That surely can and should be tightened up. I'm not saying it doesn't happen elsewhere but it seem to be on a smaller scale 2 When the fans realise, assuming they did not know all along, they don't care. They'll get in somehow whether by trespassing or attacking those with tickets, the police and the turnstiles. Why? because they feel a sense of entitlement which is rarely justified. With so many fan zones around the venues these days where those without tickets can congregate to watch the game on a big screen you do have to wonder why as a nation we tolerate both forms of behaviour.
There will be those with genuine tickets who couldn't gain access as their barcode/QR codes had already been scanned in by those with fake tickets too. You'd be pretty aggreived if yoi knew your ticket was genuine and you were refused entrance. Crims will use any opportunity to cash in, and won't be giving a **** about all the fuss that is being made over this. Liverpool is a crime infested ****hole outwith of the city centre, and none of this is a surprise
Home advantage over single leg, Scotland were the seeded team. Winner goes on to play the sheep shaggers in Cardiff on Sunday for a place in Qatar. Everyone is hyped up up here about this. Good program on BBC Scotland last night about their play-offs. Nice to see David Marshall talking about his heroics in the last play-off final whilst in his QPR training kit!
So then one of Wales, Scotland or Ukraine has the chance of embarrassing England in the desert. Neat.
Ukraine national anthem handed out in English at Hampden. Going to be emotional. Graham Souness just admitted he wants Scotland to lose.
