A tale of two newspapers. This is how The Guardian reported on the violence in Amsterdam when Ajax played Maccabi Tel Aviv: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...s-football-fans-reportedly-attacked-amsterdam And this is how the Daily Mail reported on it: Which one do we believe? I'd normally favour The Guardian over the Daily Fail, but I'm just not sure about this one.
There was a pro Palestine demo before the match just outside the stadium which went off peacefully. There were no attacks by fans and a relaxed atmosphere in the stadium. The trouble came later - two taxi drivers were badly beaten up by Israeli fans (most taxi drivers in Amsterdam are of Moroccan or Turkish origins) and there was burning of Palestinian flags, and it all kicked off from there. Mostly between Israeli fans and Moroccan and Turkish groups. The fault lies equally with both groups though israel is successfully playing the victim card (as they gave been doing for the last 70 years). The main fault lies with EUFA for allowing Israel to compete in European football tournaments at the present time in contrast to their treatment of Russia, and secondly with the city of Amsterdam for not preventing visiting fans from coming (as they do with Feyenoord). Nobody got killed or lynched.and had the same things occurred eg. in a match against Eintracht Frankfurt nothing would have been reported.
I've just read both articles and, although I would normally read the Guardian, the Mail is closer on this one. Use of expressions like anti semitic pogrom is wildly disproportionate to this case.
Thanks - and I agree about the Israelis playing in European tournaments - should never have been allowed, should be stopped. I can't see that happening though - unless the clubs/countries take action themselves by refusing to play against them. Perhaps a 'Palestinian Lives Matter' movement is what's needed...
But don't forget this is not about what is moral, or even for the good of the game. Is Israel in Europe, when I would describe it as being in the Middle East. I suppose if Australia can enter Eurovision, anything is possible. This is all about expansion, and making even more money. Someone was complaining about Championship football on a Thursday night to suit TV. Looking at the away end, many from Burnley asked why they should bother to travel. If these competitions must take place, the suits at the top need to take a darn sight more responsibility, and be forced to pay costs when trouble breaks out.
I suppose there are precedents which stop commonsense - as you say Australia in Eurovision, not to mention playing them football in Asia rather than in Oceania - which possibly helps New Zealand.
Ten minutes into the second half and Luton fans are leaving the Riverside Stadium. Losing 4-0 - oh dear, so sad ..
Saw this elsewhere - how did they lose from 5-2 up!? https://www.northernfootballleague.org/event/22304/
By conceding 4 goals in 4 minutes in added time. Stewards inquiry called for I'd say. I wonder how many of the 105 fans in attendance will turn up for the next match?
Get that bit .. I presume you might be suggesting something dodgy went on ? Hopefully not too many left and missed the dramatic ending .
Well four goals in four minutes in added time isn't a regular occurrence - so it does sound like some sort of scam.
Lucky sods Burnley - a 93rd minute penalty gives them a 1-0 win over Swansea, and drops us down to 6th...
Difference between the handball against Swansea and the handball against Oxford was the Swansea player did not punch the ball but the Oxford player did, well made sure he pushed the ball clear of danger
Yes agree . Swansea one was like when we played Blackburn. Hand was high and out stretched so the ball hit it which usually means a pen gets given .
The reason Israel is in UEFA is because the Muslim and Arab teams in the AFC refused to play against them in the 1970s. The Israel national team played in the OFC for a bit, before switching to UEFA in the 90s. They actually beat New Zealand and Australia to the play-offs for Italia 90 through that Oceania route. So I don't think it's about UEFA expansionism, more about what makes most geographic sense if Israel can't play in the AFC.
