Balkan sides make the "Meanest Fans List" Fans are a big part of football, but besides their great support, they also bring a dark side in some cases to this beautiful game. bleacherreport.com has compiled a list of the "20 Meanest Fan Bases in World Football" and some Balkan sides surely would be in it. Serbian side Red Star Belgrade have some of the most famous hooligans in the game. They tend to bring out their worst during rivalry matches with Partizan Belgrade. (see an example here) Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb are known as to have one of Eastern Europe's most brutal fan bases. From riots to battles in the streets and stands with visiting fan bases, such as those of geographical neighbor's Sparta Prague, Dinamo fans are not to be taken lightly. (see an example here) Greek side P.A.O.K. are well known as some of the meanest fans in Europe. The above video highlights the kind of host they can be to rival opponents. They have been involved in numerous fan crashes including one with Fenerbahce SK fans in Istanbul, Turkey. (see an example here) Few fan-bases can make the phrase "Welcome to Hell," seem more real than those of Turkish side Galatasaray. Their previous stadium of Ali Sami Yen was one of the toughest places to play in Europe, and they have only continued that tradition since moving to the massive Turk Telekom Arena. In 2005 it took 8,000 plus police officers and officials to keep fan violence from breaking out between the fans of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the 2005 Turkish Cup final. (see here)
Aysal to step down if UEFA hands ban Ünal Aysal stood firm on his challenge with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), saying he would step down as Galatasaray chairman if UEFA hands Turkey a ban that would keep the club out of European competitions. “I will step down from my post if Galatasaray wins European qualification and loses it due to a ban,” Aysal said on Kanaltürk’s Telegol show Jan. 16. “We don’t want anybody to be hit with a ban. I only care about my club’s benefits. We have been investing in the club and if we lose our chance to play in Europe, the TFF is responsible for that.” Galatasaray is the only member of Turkey’s Big Four that was untouched by the match-fixing allegations.
Galatasaray target Fulham striker Andy Johnson Fulham striker Andy Johnson, a one-time target for West Brom and Blackburn, has attracted attention from Rubin Kazan and Galatasaray. The Lions are reported to be interested in the experienced 30 year old who has represented the English national team 8 times. Johnson has scored 3 goals in 16 games this season. The transfer is a long shot though since Fulham manager Martin Jol has insisted that Johnson will not be leaving Fulham, at during the January transfer window. The 30-year-old has also expressed his desire to stay in England.