Running battles between Polish and Russian fans that lasted hours, over 100 arrested and many seriously injured. Sorry to sound smug and 'I told you so' but THAT is why the European Championships should not of been held in Poland/Ukraine. They've got a serious hooligan problem and the authorities there either can't or won't sort it out. God help any England fan in Kiev if we beat Ukraine next week, I can honestly see a tragedy happening.
Unfair, considering the whole motive was political. Remember the riots here last year? they were worse and they were for no reason, at least you could understand the Poles anger, this whole incident is down to poor management by local authorities.
I was waiting for this Thread all day and its finally come. Staines, you are purposely trying to inflate the situation. You and your buddies were waiting with bated breath for this and now its happened you can hardly contain your glee. What on Earth could the authorities do about a bunch of Hooligans coming in from Russia and marching on the Capital on "Russia Day"? If anyone's to blame for this silly oversight its UEFA. Ill ask you one question because I do think its relevant. I believe the answer will be telling. Were you a supporter of England's World Cup bid?
Fifas new theme tune for upcoming tournaments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPw0QbH2g68&feature=fvwrel
Told you before Swords, couldn't give a toss about the English World Cup bid. And I promise you that is the truth.
Hasn't there been problems like this at about every Euro and World Cup tournament held? Doesn't mean this makes it any better but don't see that it is any reason to say this tournament shouldn't have been held there.
Be honest...It was always going to happen....! Dont know why so many people playerd it down TBH real shame!
Again honest answer from me, couldn't care less. Wherever it's held I would of been watching the matches on my TV and not attending. Maybe I did come over a bit smug in my OP and for that I sincerely apologise, it's just I feel pretty strongly about the subject.
I dont blame the authorities at al mate, I blame the people who organised the tournament there. Its an issue that should have been adressed before awarding them the tournament. Again it a shame, as i know the countries are actually quite stunning in places and have a lot of friends who have visited. Just think they should not have go tthe tournament..YET!
Way i heard it, it was started when Poles attacked a Russian national day parade! Perhaps not a very diplomatic setting for a parade, but maybe some locking up to be done on both sides!
Not at all Stainesy, it was an honest and fair OP. You flagged that there'd be trouble and there is. My only objection is if someone says Poland shouldn't be given a Tournament then we shouldn't either! Our hooligan problem is well documented. Another thing I've noticed is not one of the media outlets over here has mentioned the trouble even once. Yet every time I turn on SSN, BBC, Talksport etc its all I see/hear. I'm not saying one thing or the other there, I just find it really really odd!
It is not to do with UEFA awarding it to Poland and Ukraine. It is political, it's to do with Russian fans quite obviously trying to get a reaction out of Poland fans and getting it. Considering the scenario, this is no worse than what England fans have done in the not too distant past.
Who are we, the Guardians of all Moral Judgement? Who died and made us GOD! Well that's one way of putting it! Another way would be: Russian Yobs decide to march right through the Center of Warsaw prior to a game with Poland, a Country they happened to pull asunder and run amok in for 40 odd years.
I don't think you can accuse Staines of a media based oppotunistic propaganda. He has been there, seen it, done it first hand. The stories he has told of his travels prior to this tournament lay testament to this. Let's be honest, the nations we are debating here are twenty - thirty years behind us due to their regression. What is happening out there now happened here and in Western Europe yonks ago. It will take the same length of time for them to progress to where we are now.
Swords, i don't deny that we have had, and to a lesser extent still have a hooligan problem. BUT by and large it has been sorted out and curtailed by the authorities here. I really can't see there ever being violence on that scale now taking place in England at a football match. Poland HAS got a serious hooligan problem, a problem that manifests it self at football matches, from the Far Right mainly,in that wonderful country (Because Poland as a whole IS a very nice place to visit). In my opinion, and it us only my opinion, it was wrong to award the Euros there UNTIL that problem is resolved, and the authorities there make a conserted effort to stamp it out. Please believe me, there is no motive to my thought on this, just a desire in my middle age to see a peaceful and enjoyable tournament for everyone, whatever race, creed or country you are from.
Exactrly this mate.. We had a major problem that is largely under control...not totally These nations still have a major problem that is not under control. If reports are to be believed. 30 years ago i would have said the same about England / UK, but once we sorted the problem out, look how well Euro 96 went. Minor scuffles i can accept, but there appears to be major problems in these areas, that are manifested at Football; that need addressing. Its not all mindless idiots but some serious social issues to i think?
Staines makes his case very well. I don't want to accuse the man of anything. Nines, as far as I can recall, Polish or Ukrainian Clubs were never banned from Europe. Ours were. In fact was there any other Country in the history of the game that had its Clubs banned from European Competition for five years? I'm not going to go Googling but I suspect not. I respect you but I can't take that post seriously with our history of rioting and wrecking the kip when in the European and UEFA Cups.
In no way do I condone violence or rioting Swords, and I like the way you say 'our.' But the English haven't had major problems in Europe since 1988 and a little kerfuffle in Ireland after that. Since then there hasn't been an arrest or any trouble. In effect it has almost been eradicated. England has long been the scapegoat for hooligan problems when others have done far worse. Given time these ( and future? ) actions, will be passed over by UEFA as mere joculeur endeavour. If it had been the English involved they would have come down on 'us' like a ton of bricks. Banned from tournaments for years to come. Watch and see.
