World Football thread

[AustrianAndyGull]

A couple of Ajax fans stabbed already ahead of their clash tonight in Milan and also a cache of blades confiscated by the police from Napoli fans as the build up to the Arsenal game continues. There are also worries about what happens to the Arsenal fans after the game tonight and how they get back to their hotels / transport without incident.

If Torquay were ever in Europe and we played in Italy I'd watch it definitely........from my sofa.

[happytorq]

A couple of Ajax fans stabbed already ahead of their clash tonight in Milan and also a cache of blades confiscated by the police from Napoli fans as the build up to the Arsenal game continues. There are also worries about what happens to the Arsenal fans after the game tonight and how they get back to their hotels / transport without incident.

If Torquay were ever in Europe and we played in Italy I'd watch it definitely........from my sofa.

I was always offended by the suggestion that England was the only country with a hooliganism problem. That's clearly never been the case. Italy, Holland and Turkey have had pretty serious issues of their own for a long time as well.

We did have a massive problem with football-related violence for a pretty long time, but the FA and the police took some very strong steps to crack down, and in the main their efforts have been pretty effective. Would be nice if the rest of Europe could do the same.

I wonder how much the extreme right-wing factions that are involved (in Italian football especially) have to do with such violence.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I think you're right about the political affiliations in Italian football causing much of the hooligan problems Happy. I think the use of weapons though in European football hooliganism makes it worse than we've ever had it. Sure we had some real hooligan problems in the 70's 80's and 90's even but rarely did fans go out tooled up like they do in Europe these days. It was all throwing seats, bottles and sticks / bits of metal that they came across mainly plus fists obviously. I could be wrong but that's the impression I got of our hooligan problem in these eras.

[Southampton Gull]

There was a lot more to it than that, Andy. Knives, machetes, bats, hammers and guns have all been used by most of the prominent firms over the years.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Sh*t! Didn't know that.

GUNS?!!

Did they also sing, "BRAZIL! IT'S JUST LIKE BEING IN BRAZIL! BRAAAZIL!!" whilst they were popping off a shooter?

Didn't realise it was as bad as that. Who were the worst then apart from the Leeds and Millwalls?

[AustrianAndyGull]

Mourinho is a waste of oxygen.

This x2 and also a comment on just how much I'm looking forward to the world cup. I have a feeling it will be the best since 1994 with teams actually going to win games. I know we'll have to see the likes of Lineker and Shearer in shimmering sequined shirts like a couple of ladyboys but on the positive side we will also be able to see some of the fascinating country that is Brazil. Can't wait!! Anyone having a bet on it?

[AustrianAndyGull]

Watching the repeat of Inverness CT v Celtic from the other day and Carl Tremarco is playing for Thistle! He was at Macclesfield last year! They also have ex Luton and Barnet keeper Dean Brill! The SPL really IS sh*t then?

John Hughes also manager there. Weren't we linked with him before Ling got the job?

[AustrianAndyGull]

Just take a look at the Austrian Bundesliga table!

Definitely the one occasion where tables are BETTER than cats!

[AustrianAndyGull]

Chelski crashing out of the CL this evening it looks like. Maybe it was the ref's fault tonight? Or the ballboy? Or the weather? Hmmmmmm, I wonder?