Harriers Chatter

Two great article on the hooliganism issue as seen in France. As far as reasoned opinion is, England fans aren't blameless, but they certainly aren't the root cause. Russian fans need to be stopped and poor policing over there isn't helping.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/ken-early-russians-go-to-war-with-an-english-myth-1.2682005
http://www.espnfc.com/european-championship/74/blog/post/2891011/euro-2016-fan-clashes-at-england-vs-russia-match-troubling-sign

Both of the above are worth a read.

That first article was a great read Harry!

Great to have on the spot report`s, just keep safe.

Heard on the radio today that 97% of known English trouble maker`s have handed their passport`s in, but no information from the Russian side.

There was also a mention of a Russian Minister praising their hooligan`s, look`s like the World Cup in Russia will be a no go area.

Medieval wrote:Great to have on the spot report`s, just keep safe.

Heard on the radio today that 97% of known English trouble maker`s have handed their passport`s in, but no information from the Russian side.

There was also a mention of a Russian Minister praising their hooligan`s, look`s like the World Cup in Russia will be a no go area.

3,000 england troublemakers handed their passports in. Only 30 russians got banned from the trip.

Some Russians were turned away who travelled by air, so imagine there are possibly hundreds more Russians who wanted to cause trouble.

This Euros really could've been a bloodbath... and still could be.

BBC News said that the French police reckoned there were 150 Russian fans involved in the violence. None have been arrested. None. Not even one. Absolute disgrace.

harry211 wrote:BBC News said that the French police reckoned there were 150 Russian fans involved in the violence. None have been arrested. None. Not even one. Absolute disgrace.

Absolute disgrace, of course some of the English fans were no angels but what has happened in Marseille was sickening. It seems it became pretty clear it was a planned operation from the Russian fans, paying no regard to women and children who were caught in the crossfire.

Seems there was also a fair amount of trouble from the Germany and Ukraine fans yesterday too.

The local police have a lot to answer for, but as usual it will all just be swept under the carpet and blamed on 'English hooligans'.

Back to the football, its been a strange tournament so far. A lot of the fancied nations have struggled in their opening games. France and Spain got late winners but were made to toil. The Germany game was pretty boring and Ukraine really should have equalised towards the end of the first half, Belgium tonight were poor and need to play a lot better if they are to make the latter stages.

I wonder if the end of season Euros should revert from a month long tournament back to the 1970s format of a home & away leg through two seasons, a bit like the Champions league?

This would avoid the deluge of fans into one host country and the associated problems of policing them.

9 or 10 groups playing 10 games - then 16 teams going through to a home/away knockout.
winners thus playing 18 games over a two year period, which if we drop meaningless friendly internationals wouldn't affect the domestic leagues and Euro competitions too much.

but then UEFA lose money on TV rights etc. so probably wouldn't get off the ground......

Feel sorry for those fans who are over there to enjoy the football.

Ronaldo, Kane, Griezman, Mandzucic, Lewandowski, Marata, Muller, Ibrahimovic, Lukaku, de Bruyne.....No Goals and, generally poor performances.

Only Bale, of the European elite strikers, has notched.

With Slovakia looking like they might beat Russia - they look a tidy team - IF Wales beat England I'm not sure we will qualify, unless it all kicks off in Lille with the Russian fans and they are disqualified.

Having said that, we should beat Wales surely

It's Wales FFS

Still can't believe that Vardy is left on the bench, and Lalanna and Sterling are given preference.

Just hope one of them scores and proves me wrong ...........................

Well well what a surprise,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,England are losing because they have no threat in the box.

Still 45 minutes to go and if Hodgson changes to plan 'B' and brings on Carroll to play up front we can rescue this.

VARDY VARDY Makes his manager look an idiot,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sturridge, Sturridge Makes his manager look a hero,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Come on England