One more English fans are being accused (in advance) of being thugs. Tonight, Arsenal are playing in Athens. Tomorrow night, both ourselves and the smoggies are in the same neighbourhood. A warning has been issued along with the (overpriced)Newcastle tickets for us not to “get involved” with the Boro fans. This after our idiot chairman for once said something true, and pointed out that on the whole we have a good relationship with the Boro.
The warning seems to actually have been carried on from UEFA and it threatens fines and posible expulsion from the competition should anything occur. Apparently, Greek police will even jump on fans for what we would class as “banter”. I’ve been to Boro for away matches umpteen times. I have walked past the nearest pub to the ground (The Navigation) on almost every visit. Each time it’s been overflowing onto the street with pissed-up smoggies. Each time I’ve been wearing my Newcastle shirt. Each time I have been barracked. But I have never felt threatened, nor has there ever been the slightest inkling that things could go further than a few jocular insults.
On the other hand, we’re all English therefore we’re all going to start fights and cause World War III on the Athenian streets. As a result, UEFA are itching to kick an English club out of the competition. Bonus – this time it could be two, or three.
This is the same UEFA who not only allowed Galataserai to continue in European competition after Chistopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were killed prior to a match there… but who have gifted this season’s Champion’s League final to Istanbul. Something, incidentally, you can petition against, not that it’ll do any sodding good.
Turkish fans promote themselves as dangerous, they advertise their ground as “Hell”, they exude a threatening attitude and revel in it. And they get the CL final. English fans will get pissed up and havea barny amongst themselves on rare occasion, yet get pilloried and threatened with expulsion from Europe. When was the last time a foreign fan was killed while watching a match in England?
Best of luck Arsenal. Best of luck Boro. Here’s hoping that along with the other English teams in Europe this season we can dominate the final rounds of both competitions. Show UEFA what they’d be missing if their small-minded, blinkered attitude turns into one of audacious stupidity.
