Why do you feel the need to make that unreasonable leap in your argument? Nobody has suggested that crap at all. What we would like to see is stadiums training their people to best serve the home and away supporters groups. Just some basics like keep them away from each other, keep their movements in and out of the stadium safe, and don't let a group of self proclaimed hooligans gather in a dark parking area in order to try to fight the away supporters. Very basic and reasonable stuff.
Have read many posts in regards to this issue. Just found this certain thread and haven't gone through all 40 pages...nor do I intend to. But I feel (in MLS anyway) there is nothing at all wrong with home supporters visiting the away section.....wanting to let them know that they know that they are there. Just as I don't think there is nothing at all wrong with away supporters visiting a home section......wanting to let them know the same. However this is not a perfect world. There are bound to be those with "other agendas" (a bad apple if you will) Who read too much hostility into it. Now...you add that with High School drop-out security personnel who are angry at the world and look for any reason at all to "flex"...... ...well then.....this is what happens. Shame really.
I'm not your buddy, friend! I'm not your friend, guy! I'm not your guy, buddy! I'm not your buddy, friend! I'm not your friend, guy! I'm not your guy, buddy! I'm not your buddy, friend!
Man this fight was 4-on-4 at best. This was obviously a West Ham fan hyping him and his buddies up(100 crew vs 20 Wet Ham wanabee's) as he reported to the Associated Press later in the day.
damnit. can we please get back on topic with regards to this thread? This thread is about congratulating the Crew Fans for what they did and not talking about who started what and when. Nice work Crew Fans, you did what any normal supporter group would have done.
There is a huge problem with it. It creates tension and all it takes is one turd to start a fight. If home fans want to make themselves known, sing loud and proud and display their banners/colors. No need to walk, en mass, in front of the visiting SG. See the above, just swap it around. In this league, more like too much cerveza It's all a matter of training. If the FO cares enough, they'll train their people proper. If they don't care (and there are those that really don't) then they won't give two shits so long as no one is throwing streamers onto the field. As far as fan segregation is concerned, I don't think you'll ever see it taken to the extreme such as Italy or Germany or what have you, but a few sensible steps can go a long way 1) Have an away fan section where traveling SGs can stand 2) Have security around that section and, if need be, escort the group to and fro the stadium 3) If applicable, have extra security for any derby matches or others that may generate extra tension 4) Train security on how to handle soccer SG culture 5) Have security liaise with the home SG(s) leader(s) to solve/stop problems Something as simple as that will stop a lot of problems from happening. No need for police in riot gear and all that mess.
point out which stadiums in England have anything like that Some people seem to have an impression that games in England have a backdrop of fans straining to attack each other past the razor wire and fences, with riot cops just about keeping peace. Grounds in England don't have fences. Many don't even have any police at all at the games, let alone cops in riot gear. I think I've seen anything resembling serious trouble two or three times in about 1000 games. Stuff like those youtube clips, probably about a dozen times, if that. The point about an "away end" creating atmosphere is that it's easier for away fans to generate an atmosphere if they are all in one place, which is exactly why you have your supporter groups all in one place. Ifyou have two sets of fans singing then the atmosphere is better than if you only have one. As away support is so small over there, it's not really an issue. Segregating 50 fans is a bit pointless.
The Columbus Crew issued the following statement regarding an altercation that took place at Crew Stadium during halftime of Sunday's exhibition between West Ham United and the Crew which has been exaggerated in at least one news report: “While a skirmish among a very small group of West Ham and Crew supporters did occur on Sunday, media reports referring to it as a “brawl” or "fights" are gross mischaracterizations. The incident was initiated by the actions of three West Ham supporters who entered the Crew supporters section at halftime. Crew Stadium security intervened and immediately began to escort those West Ham supporters to the concourse, at which time several Crew supporters became involved. On the concourse, Columbus Police quickly assumed control of the situation and made one arrest. Three other attendees were ejected by stadium security at that time. Supporters of both clubs were gathered on the concourse during the altercation, but nearly all of them were bystanders or onlookers and not active participants. Order was restored within minutes, prior to the beginning of the second half of play. Although it was a minor incident, the reputation of our organization and our fans is extremely important to us and as soccer's popularity continues to grow, we will continue to make every effort to ensure that our fans have a safe and enjoyable experience when they visit Crew Stadium.” Where's the ostrich?
um RFK has it, hope you didn't buy a ticket for tonight already Unless you literally mean regular fans. But active support should be separate.