That's Conspiracy Theory overload. Someone else said a few days ago that England are singled out in the games as well, and reffed unfairly. Crazy talk. I can't see why they would scapegoat England fans. Why would UEFA and FIFA have this big grudge against England? I just can't see it. And with respect, there has been trouble since 1988 when England and Germany have clashed. Everyone was saying Ukraine was going to be a blood-bath yet there hasn't been a sniff there yet. And if England, Germany or any other Nation had this Tournament there would be the same amount of thugs spilling in from every corner of Europe hell bent on wreaking havoc. There's just no legislating for it. If a few heads get knocked and a few punks thrown in jail, so be it. The Tournament will go on and be a success whether you boys like it or not. (No offence intended Nines, Staines and Queens )
Letting the Russians have a nation parade (with Soviet flags and all) on Polish soil would be akin to letting the Argies parade through London having a parade dedicated to the Falklands war. It was a very stupid decision by the authorities.
Ridiculous analogy but your conclusion is correct. The problem is, march or no march, the Russian hooligans would have caused trouble anyway. Its almost impossible to eradicate entirely at these Competitions.
It's getting quite hilarious watching you swim against the tide here Swords. This particular match has a history of trouble anyway, the Poles and Russians aren't exactly sweethearts and this match was widely predicted to be one of the major flashpoints of the tournament. The trouble was all away from the stadium and you are correct in saying that this was going to happen regardless. The point I'd make is that it is far easier for it to happen in this tournament because of it's location than if it had been at ANY of the other venues that were overlooked for this tournament and this 'parade' wouldn't have taken place anywhere else. Poland was effectively under Russian rule for 45 years after the war, you'd need to be a pretty thick-skinned Pole to enjoy a Russia Day parade even if you weren't a football supporter. Flyer's analogy merely highlights the antipathy...
I think the police will get it under control for the rest of the tournament, they called for back-up... please log in to view this image But on a serious note, how stupid can these people be, a great tournament, some of the best teams and players in the world, and all they come up with is a mass brawl, ruining it for all
Those taking part were not as interested in football as much as the fighting, the tournament provides the excuse...
Swords, the fact of the matter we (England fans) are still paying for the troubles of years gone by. For many many years our travelling fans caused mayhem across Europe and I'm afraid the football fan of today is paying the price. A famous (infamous)hooligan here put it very well when he said 'The hunter, has become the hunted', 'cos that's what is now happening. I hope you are right in what you say, and in Ukraine next Tuesday it is just a festival of football. Me, i fear the worst. I would not like to be out there with my kids, or as a black or asian football fan. Surely that is wrong in itself that certain members of our community are effectively barred from following our national team ? We admitted years ago there was a problem and the police in this country are now very good at stopping problems before they occur, it's a lesson that should be learnt and used by countries like Poland, Russia and Ukraine BEFORE prestigous tournaments like this are awarded. And mate, you definately haven't offended me with any of your posts. Debate is healthy and this is a great forum for it
I'm with you on most of this Swords. I think the trouble that happened last night could just as readily happened wherever in Europe this tournament had been played. My concern with the tournament being held where it is is the racism that is widespread there, racially motivated attacks, and the racial abuse of players.
Oslo, thats my point. I dont think it would of happened to that extent in England or Germany for example due to the way these incidents are handled by the police. And as for the racism....that alone in my opinion is reason enough for the tournament NOT to go to those countries, at least not until they authorities in those countries are willing to confront the obvious problem they have.
To get back to the issue, which is not how unfairly England is treated. Last night was UEFA and the Polish police's fault. The Poles hate the Russians with a vengeance. They were oppressed to near starvation under the Communist regime, uprisings were put down with a ferocity we only can half imagine. It is the most stupid of all decisions to play Russia vs Poland on a Russian national holiday and then allow the Russians to march through Warsaw, just like they did in 1940s. In England the police would have be alert to the situation before it started ( and before you all start about last years riots, they were spontaneous and without a leading issue and so caught the police unaware). UK police would not have allowed last nights riots to happen....Other issues with the police, like racism, thuggery, corruptness, bigotry I am not prepared to support them on, but on preplanning, they are good at.
Thanks Beth, more elequontly put than i i ever could at this time of the morning It reminds me of the time in the 80's when a friendly between England and Germany was arranged to be played in Munich on April 20th..........Hitlers birthday !!! Its either bad planning or pure madness.......
This is an example of how poorly managed the tournament is... http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/socce...tch-resulting-10-injuries-220306635--sow.html Who slipped that in up their anorak?
Hardly, the Russians marching through Warsaw is why it happened, and that's not exactly an excuse. I'd have been livid if I was a pole, this is separate from Euro 2012 IMO. Also, the only reported incidents of racism at a match so far was by the Spanish fans, which you obviously can't blame the hosts for. Poor media. they were so excited by the prospect of it all.
The march wouldn't have taken place if the tournament wasn't taking place, that was the excuse, deliberate provocation as was the 'This is Russia' banner in the stadium. This is nothing to do with racism it's pure nationalistic hatred...
The Russians who were drinking and eating in a cafe weren't on any march mate, just having a drink befoire being attacked by masked thugs (Watch the video, it's pretty brutal). Yes of course the march was provocative and of course it was a factor, but it's still not a reason to attack innocent fans just there to watch a game of football.Please don't think i'm attacking the Polish fans alone 'cos their Russian counterparts are no better. And PLEASE don't try to convince me that there isn't a sizable portion of the Polish and Ukrainian support that have far right and racist leanings 'cos the evidence is there for all to see. Saying that i do agree with you about the media waiting for things to happen as it sells papers-sadly in my opinion it was always gonna happen. On another note....what was your old name ??? It's bugging the hell out of me
All three of those countries have the same problem, hence the stupidity of holding this tournament there...
Agreed some people should look back in history and understand why the poles are angry! or even full of hatred, good call
Eddie you're missing the point completely. I can understand why the Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians etc hate the Russians after what they have been put through.What i struggle to understand is the somwhat adulation of National Socialism that seem prevelant in large sections of Eastern European football fans and the way it manifests itself through hooliganism.
