We all know football fans have a bad reputation. A lot has been done to improve the situation, and improved it has. Riots, fights and hooliganism are virtually gone. But this season we have had many reminders that things still need to change. Today the FA say they are highly likely to investigate chants made by West Ham fans towards Tottenham fans. The Telegraph say these chants were 'Hitler is coming for you' and was aimed at Tottenham's jewish fan base. I am sure the people chanting this are not anti jewish. I am sure this was football related and said to wind up the Spurs fans. But that excuse is not acceptable. The FA and Police are often handing out warnings, threats and punishments. But I dont feel this approach will ever work. The whole atmosphere of the football crowd needs to change. The anger and the hate needs to go. Opposition fans are not enemies. They are there to support there team and enjoy the game. Each case gets treated as an individual case, like its a one off. But the bigger picture needs to be seen. Even if serious one off incidents need to see punishments spread across every crowd in the division. Clubs with good crowds must be rewarded. If the whole league has a good weekend, the whole league should be rewarded in some way. I think the FA should put the kick it out campaign on hold and start a 'Make football family friendly' campaign in its place. Do this well and crowd behavior, crowd abuse and I believe even on the pitch behavior will improve. Players will keep there heads better, focus better and the football will be better. What are your thoughts on this? And parents, do you comfortably take your kids to football matches? Do crowds contain to many bad influences? Other sports, like Rugby, are much more family friendly. Football should be to.
I obviously don't agree with anti-semitism, and if it was I hope those fans are banned. But football is the one sport which still has some bloody good atmosphere and that "tribal" feel. God forbid it should turn in to the clap-fest that is US family friendly sports with their one chant of "let's go [insert team name here], clap clap, clap clap clap."
I took my lad to Anfield for the first time when he was 10 there's a lot of swearing but nothing more than that and I haven't ever seen any trouble or heard any comments that made me think I shouldn't take him. He's nearly 14 now and still not allowed to sing the Gerrard song unless he changes a certain word.
I dont think the atmosphere has to go. There will also be songs like 'You'll Never Walk Alone', 'Fields of Anfield Road' and other clubs song. But they dont have to be offensive and aimed nastily at individuals. Even the odd swear word isnt to bad as you hear it in the street, films and music. That is expression. Just no abuse, victimization or offensive stuff.
For goodness sake!!!! As an oldie I'm going to claim the right to take a contrary view. So here it is: I WANT TO GO TO A FOOTBALL MATCH AND NOT A KINDERGARTEN I do accept that there are limits to both language and behaviour but traditionally football was a safe place wherein adults (mostly males) could express their passion more openly than they could in everyday life. To have to contain that passion because there are children present is an insult. Take your kids somewhere else to entertain them!!
TBH I wouldnt be surprised if John Terry finds some of those chants funny. Steve Bruce said he finds 'who ate all the pies' very upsetting. That upset wont last 90 minutes. It will sit in his mind. You wouldnt just shout that at some one in the streets. Remember these are people.
As a "nearly oldie" I agree You simply can't have a family friendly atmosphere and "an atmosphere" like there once was. Kids should be out playing the game at weekends then they can watch what they want on the telly I started going to the game as a lad and it was part of growing up. It wasn't sanitised then nor should it be now just for those of a sensitive disposition. If you want a family friendly place to take the kids go to the bowling alley or take them to watch a game of tennis. Obviously not excusing West Hams vile chants, those ****ers should be banned just as with anyone who chants about any human tragedy. There is a line but its a question of where its drawn. Going to the match is a far more sterile experience than its ever been and personally I don't want it to get any worse.
Billy, it goes wider than football. When I grew up, you were a child, you were treated as a child and expected to fit into adult society as a child. Hence, the old adage of children should be seen and not heard. In the same way that we now have a problem with cats and dogs who believe that they are people - and idiots who demand that cats and dogs have rights - we are doing no favours to children who are now considered as Little People with equal rights.
Cats and dogs think they're people?? Jesus they'll be going the match next thing you know and I'll have to dodge litter trays to get to my seat if there's one place I don't want to see more pussy its at the match
The boys pen in the top right hand corner of the Kop produced plenty of soprano pitched swearing back in the day.
