Euro 2012: Stadiums of hate (panorama)

[Athos]

The fact that people who aren't obviously neo-nazis invent these preposterous excuses for their countrymen is almost as worrying as what happens on the terraces.

 

[paulhackett]

I may be way off on this (having never been to Poland/Ukraine) and if I am call me a clueless cunt, but my take is this: once the Berlin wall fell, the ex-Soviet countries were exposed to a level of multiculturalism and immigration that had previously not been an issue at all. In this instance, I'd opine that these countries are about 20/30 years behind "us" in accepting and welcoming (as they should be) immigrants to their country. Can anyone really say that the disgusting racism in these countries is that different to what was seen on the terraces here in the 70's/80's?

I think that exposure to a multicultural tournament comprising players of many nationalities and ethnic origins can only be a good thing in raising awareness of the benefits of multiculturalism. Of course there are some straight out fascist cunts, but they can just fuck off into a hole. Hopefully the majority of football fans in Poland and Ukraine will stop ignoring these vile bigots because of numbers, and rise up and smash them off the terraces.

USSR had a great range of races of its' own.. Ex Soviet countries had masses of students from Africa, India, Cuba etc. before the Berlin Wall fell, so there was plenty of exposure even in smaller towns in Russia, far away from Moscow. Exposure but little (cultural) interaction or mixing. Quite normal to be spat at on the street. Didn't stop them racially abusing way back when and hasn't stopped them now. 20-30 years behind? I think it takes far longer for widespread attitudes to change, a generation or two or three, whichever country that's in.

 

[Termite Man]

I don't think that film gave a bad impression of all poles/ukranians just groups of fans (not even all fans)

also am I the only person who thought Sol Campbell sounded like he was on an episode of Brass Eye?

 

[gabi]

I don't think that film gave a bad impression of all poles/ukranians just groups of fans (not even all fans)

also am I the only person who thought Sol Campbell sounded like he was on an episode of Brass Eye?

I think so, yes.

His 'coffin' comment was OTT. But from what I gather, and far pre-dating this doco, you'd be a fool to walk into a polish or ukranian footy match and sitting in the stand bearing a black skin.

 

[krtek a houby]

I think so, yes.

His 'coffin' comment was OTT. But from what I gather, and far pre-dating this doco, you'd be a fool to walk into a polish or ukranian footy match and sitting in the stand bearing a black skin.

Not entirely footy related but we met a Ukranian girl yesterday (in her 20s, had served in the IDF). She started off asking if I was Jewish (because I look Jewish, apparently) then was I gay (because I look gay, apparently). She then moved on to how she hated the arabs (they have all the power and influence in London, apparently), took a swipe a the blacks, Chinese and Poles (the Poles were singled out because they gave it up to the Nazis, apparently).

After an hour or so of this unusual discourse, when she said "I like London because it's so open" and that she was a communist originally, I said "and now you're a nazi"... she didn't like that. My mate asked her if she'd ever been wrong about something and she told us how an arabic shopkeeper tried to hit her

Anyway, to cut a long story short - we eventually left & fair play to her older and wiser mate who had visited Ukraine on many occasions. He said she was indeed racist but the climate in Ukraine does produce a lot of closed minds. Black people in Kiev tend not to go out at night for fear of being harassed and god forbid gay people should express their feelings in public.

Fascinating and very very sad

 

[starfish]

wtf? 'blue power'?

did he also think the people in the terraces giving out hitler salutes and shouting seig heil were 'pointing at the opposition fans' as the chief of police believes?

I know, i know. I did look at him with mild disbelief on my face.

 

[tar1984]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/07/euro-2012-holland-racist-abuse

Not off to a good start. Holland players subjected to monkey chants from hundreds of spectators at a training session in Poland.

 

[purves grundy]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/07/euro-2012-holland-racist-abuse

Not off to a good start. Holland players subjected to monkey chants from hundreds of spectators at a training session in Poland.

Don't worry - it's just localism

Another theory that has been put forward is that Wisla's supporters did not want their stadium being used by anyone but their own club and were simply booing the Dutch players

 

[friedaweed]

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/news/...subjected-to-racist-abuse-from-fans-in-krakow

More here.

Still not sure why this isn't being reported on the 'Official' hooligan thread

 

[tar1984]

Don't worry - it's just localism

And Uefa have even denied it was racially motivated so there obviously isn't an issue

 

[butchersapron]

Uefa now officially going with that line. I think they've picked the wrong team to try that shameful shit with.

 

[articul8]

Uefa: No bears have been defecating near any trees

 

[friedaweed]

DP

 

[friedaweed]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18363736

Uefa has confirmed there were "isolated incidents of racist chanting" aimed at Netherlands players during an open training session.

Still don't appear to be doing owt about it.

"Should such behaviour happen at further training sessions, Uefa would evaluate the operational measures to be taken to protect players," Uefa said.

but then it looks like no official complaint is likely.

The governing body said no formal complaint had been received from the Dutch FA - and Netherlands officials have already said none will be made. The matter is now considered closed, the Dutch FA told BBC Sport.
While Van Bommel complained specifically of racist abuse, the Dutch FA said this was mixed with anti-Euro 2012 chanting believed to have been prompted by the fact the city has not been given any matches in the tournament.

 

[_angel_]

The fact that in just one month a BBC team managed to record hours of nazi-saluting football fans and yet when interviewed, the head of the police said he'd *never* seen such a thing and that maybe the fans were 'just pointing' speaks volumes

Yeah. Talk about 'the dog ate my homework' book of bollocks excuses. That in itself is depressing.

 

[Ted Striker]

Just for removal of all doubt, uber-twat-in-training Platini weighed in to confirm that any racial chanting victim will be yellow carded if they leave the pitch.

There is no handclap slow enough.

 

[articul8]

Van Bommell (?) was absolutely spot on - when Neil Lennon got a load of sectarian abuse off bigoted cunts at Windsor Park, his teammates should have marched off and refused to play.

Let's see Platini ban the whole team

 

[deadringer]

Both teams should have a pre game agreement to walk off if either team gets any abuse. It's the only way the pricks at UEFA and FIFA will take any notice.

 

[CyberRose]

Not entirely footy related but we met a Ukranian girl yesterday (in her 20s, had served in the IDF). She started off asking if I was Jewish (because I look Jewish, apparently) then was I gay (because I look gay, apparently). She then moved on to how she hated the arabs (they have all the power and influence in London, apparently), took a swipe a the blacks, Chinese and Poles (the Poles were singled out because they gave it up to the Nazis, apparently).

After an hour or so of this unusual discourse, when she said "I like London because it's so open" and that she was a communist originally, I said "and now you're a nazi"... she didn't like that. My mate asked her if she'd ever been wrong about something and she told us how an arabic shopkeeper tried to hit her

Anyway, to cut a long story short - we eventually left & fair play to her older and wiser mate who had visited Ukraine on many occasions. He said she was indeed racist but the climate in Ukraine does produce a lot of closed minds. Black people in Kiev tend not to go out at night for fear of being harassed and god forbid gay people should express their feelings in public.

Fascinating and very very sad

Yes but was she fit?

 

[Teepee]

" Mild sunshine warmed the stadium and 'Ooohs' and 'Aaahs' regularly emanated from the stands as the players enjoyed a session of finishing practice, with the likes of Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar burying some nice goals."

Are UEFA fucking deluded? Are they hiring the North Korean press agency for these releases? http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/blogs/blog=blog_netherlands_team/postid=1804057.html

 

[CyberRose]

" Mild sunshine warmed the stadium and 'Ooohs' and 'Aaahs' regularly emanated from the stands as the players enjoyed a session of finishing practice, with the likes of Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar burying some nice goals."

Are UEFA fucking deluded? Are they hiring the North Korean press agency for these releases? http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/news/blogs/blog=blog_netherlands_team/postid=1804057.html

To be fair, the writer did end the article by saying they "can probably start getting used to that kind of following" which is probably not far from the truth!

 

[krtek a houby]

Yes but was she fit?

On the surface, sure. But very ugly inside.

 

[friedaweed]

All a load of hype then in the end