DON'T MENTION THE WAR

Sunday 25th June 2006

By Robert Maher

The football hooligan brigade are at it again. Two hundred English supposed football supporters were arrested in Stuttgart last night following ugly clashes with German fans. After Germany's victory over Sweden, tensions reached boiling point. I'm sure the majority of supporters set out for Germany with good intentions. For many it is a trip of a life-time, a chance to be a part of the greatest sporting event in the world. Sadly these occasions are inevitably marred by a moronic minority who frankly should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Typically tatooed, obese, beer guzzling, kebab gobbling buffons who bring nothing but shame on football. Effortlessly endorsing all the negative stereo-types associated with English males when abroad.

Sport should be about unity, enjoyment and jubilation. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with healthy rivalry and harmless banter. I'm all for fan sing-alongs and national pride but find thuggery and yobbishness totally unacceptable forms of behaviour. The throwing of bottles, tables and chairs combined with generous offerings of vulgar abuse is nothing short of disgusting. It's hard to conceive how grown men can behave in such a juvenile and pathetic way. Hopefully the police will carry out their intention to only release these arrested imbeciles after today's England v Ecuador match, meaning they will at least miss out on watching that particular game.