Hooliganwatch™: Croatia Hooligans Free to Travel to Germany

[...] Fearless leader Bob has been keeping us all updated about the potential for violence in Germany this summer with his excellent Hooliganwatch™. [...]

Bob, I’m truely ashamed of that portion of my brethren that has blackened Croatia’s football image with their shameful behavior. As one Croatian that is sickened by it I can only apologize to those affected. To be guests in another country and to engage in wild pack-dog violence that destroys property, threatens lives and causes injury is abhorent and disgusting. The attempts to carry out an equally repugnant right-wing or left-wing agenda at a sporting event by these moronic groups is equally disgusting. I appeal to all descent Croatians to contact the appropriate Croatian government bodies dealing with Hooligan laws to implement the strongest measures immediately. I also ask that all Croatians while at the WC to report any discussion of, agitation of or participation in disruptive and violent activities to local law officals immediately. This type of illegal and immoral behavior must be fought at every stage and denounced by everyone who respects the game of football/soccer and all sports. There should be heavy fines levied for active participation in this sordid business, proceeds of which should go to a victims fund for anyone injured. Also there should be a mandatory prison sentence of consequence served in the country the crime is perpetrated in and a lifetime ban from international games extendable to the other leagues wishing to also ban those individuals from their games. No one should be in danger simply for viewing a sporting match. For that evil attack on the player in Italy with monkey calls in the other article you cite I only will tell those Italians that when southern Italians came to the US as immigrants years ago they were referred to as “little italian monkeys” by some of the population here in the US.(the shoe doesn’t sit well when its on the other foot does it friends) I hope that all of Italy gave that player an apology and if it didn’t it should. In the US hate crimes are dealt with at the Federal level. Displays of incindiary political imagery left or right are nothing but that-a hate crime. Its time all fair-minded fans denounce this idiocy, for those who don’t only aid and abet those cretins that carry out the violence and hate. There is no superior race, group or people, just people. Each man to be judged on his character and his heart, which by the way are all the same color in all men. Bob, keep exposing these spoors of violence and hate and spurring the rest of us to action to force this evilness out of sports.

bob,

german right wing extremist party npd actually looks forward to welcoming the iranian national side to germany and have encouraged their followers to do likewise (i checked their website, as they have initiatied a campaign for a “true national team: white — not just a jersey color” (sic!) was the slogan of one of their pamphlets in which they oppose asamoah’s and owomoyela’s calls to ther german team) … given ahmadinejad’s attacks against zionism and israel in general, this comes as no surprise. strange world.

Just ran across a post on the stricter sanctions regarding Artile 55 of FIFA’s disciplinary code. It was posted April 6th at http://www.ukrainiansoccer.com. A five match suspension at every level of football as well as a stadium ban for any act or expression of discriminatory behavior. (2 year ban still in effect). Points will be deducted if fans can be tied to a team, first offense-3 point deduction, 2nd offense-6 point deduction and no point games will result in a disqualification. Fines will be levied on officials also. Article 55 applies for the whole of the WC immediately. Go to the site for any other details. UEFA also posted info on it as I imagine FIFA did.

Its always the same scenario. Its always the English that get the blame. I will admit, we are no angels, but we are certainly not the worst. I have been reading in the papers in London over the last few months that certain nations are going into Germany to cause nothing but havoc. Nations such as Poland, Holland, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and Argentina have all been giving it large. And as for us, we weren’t saying anything about causing any trouble at the finals, but the German authorities and FIFA have come down on us like a tonne of bricks. Remember back at France ‘98 when local French and Tunisian fans attacked English fans in Marseille and as the English fans defended themselves, we got the blame for the trouble. I have a feeling that there will be trouble at the tournament, however I feel the English fans will be the scapegoats for the faults of others.

The last time I been to a tournament was at Portugal Euro 2004 and I met Croatian fans who were absolutley smashing and were really passionate about their nation. I also met fans from other countries who were great whilst I was out there. But I have a sad feeling that this World Cup will make history for all the wrong reasons.

I just hope that hooligans from Croatia don’t embarass our people at this tournament. It’s nice to see passion for you squad, but I pray there is no repeat of the behaviour of fans at the Malta qualifier.