Stadiums of Hate

[TT Boy]

Originally Posted by grecian

I think one of the worst aspects of it was the Ukrainian Official denying there was anything racist going on. The attack on the Asian students, was utterly unprovoked and there seemed to be no help from stewards. There are scum supporters everywhere, but where there is head in sand stuff from authorities, how will it get better.

I'm not quite sure why TTBoy is trivialising it, won't make it go away. Did you actually watch it?

No. Will stream it later.

Just listened to it being discussed on 5 Live and Sol Campbell's comments. Debate so far seems extremely alarming considering of my experiences in Poland and when it was raised that London is hosting an Olympics, just a year after the city and country was engulfed by rioters, they replied but the Olympics would have world class security but then so will Poland and the Ukraine. BBC filmed domestic games where there is domestic policing and officiating and where tickets cost tuppence. The EUROS will have officials who have attended the UEFA workshops, be accredited by UEFA and where the majority of allocated tickets in Poland for instance are for corporate/members and sponsors of the Polish FA. Different kettle of fish to the Polish supporters who went to Northern Ireland looking for a fight.

[wpdavid]

Originally Posted by sledger

Granted the footage shown wasn't good, but this was a very BBC style documentary, if you get what I mean. To be taken with a pinch of salt.

Really? Granted we don't know exactly how typical it is, but even the incidents we saw were shocking enough.

[sledger]

Originally Posted by wpdavid

Really? Granted we don't know exactly how typical it is, but even the incidents we saw were shocking enough.

Yeah, the incidents shown were pretty shocking, but at the same time, you could probably go around Europe and get some footage of this sort from plenty of stadiums. It just so happens that the upcoming Euro Competition is being played in Poland and Ukraine. I mean if we were to go and take a camera into a crowd section of Lazio ultras, we'd undoubtedly see similar scenes.

I don't want to belittle what is undoubtedly a serious issue, but the problem I have with this sort of expose documentary is that it inevitably leans pretty heavily on whatever angle it favours. Such is the nature of such a programme I suppose. It was the kind of show that I would watch if I had already had an understanding of the salient issues, but if I wanted to learn afresh and make up my own mind about the severity of the situation I'd go elsewhere.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by TT Boy

No. Will stream it later.

Just listened to it being discussed on 5 Live and Sol Campbell's comments. Debate so far seems extremely alarming considering of my experiences in Poland and when it was raised that London is hosting an Olympics, just a year after the city and country was engulfed by rioters, they replied but the Olympics would have world class security but then so will Poland and the Ukraine. BBC filmed domestic games where there is domestic policing and officiating and where tickets cost tuppence. The EUROS will have officials who have attended the UEFA workshops, be accredited by UEFA and where the majority of allocated tickets in Poland for instance are for corporate/members and sponsors of the Polish FA. Different kettle of fish to the Polish supporters who went to Northern Ireland looking for a fight.

This is all true but the ultras who follow domestic football in both countries will still be in the country.

[James]

Any of you guys planning on travelling over there to watch any matches?

[wpdavid]

Originally Posted by James

Any of you guys planning on travelling over there to watch any matches?

Not me

[sledger]

Me neither.

[fredfertang]

Was planning to stay at home but given that those two ****ers aren't going I'm now sorely tempted

[sledger]

Fred we should watch in the Three Tuns. I sorely miss being a patron there, and I am sure that the patronage of "the tall Arsenal boy" is sorely missed also.

[fredfertang]

Originally Posted by sledger

I am sure that the patronage of "the tall Arsenal boy" is sorely missed also.

That's not what the Pitcroft crew told me

[sledger]

Speaking to the wrong people Fred, should have asked someone on Grange Avenue.

[wpdavid]

Good start from the locals. With the predictable response from UEFA

Euro 2012: Holland players subjected to racist abuse at training session | Football | The Guardian

[Scaly piscine]

Originally Posted by wpdavid

Good start from the locals. With the predictable response from UEFA

Euro 2012: Holland players subjected to racist abuse at training session | Football | The Guardian

Yep. It begins.

Might get some utterly derisory and pathetic fines at some stage if we're lucky.

[Spikey]

John Terry will be the peoples champ.

ark ar ark

[Scaly piscine]

Hmm wondered what that sweeping sound coming from UEFA was. Carpet may be getting a little lumpy by the weekend.

BBC Sport - Euro 2012: Netherlands will not make racism complaint