typool
Well-Known Member
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25988910-5019088,00.html
West Ham United and Millwall fans threaten England's World Cup bid
By staff writers
August 27, 2009 England's bid to host the 2018 football World Cup finals has been dealt a massive blow as the fallout continues from violent clashes between rival fans in London on Wednesday.
Several hundred West Ham United and Millwall fans clashed outside Upton Park before the Carling Cup tie between the two sides, throwing bottles and bricks and starting small fires as police moved in to try and stop the violence.
Australia is also aiming to host the World Cup in 2018 and hopes have been raised of a successful bid with the ugly scenes in east London likely to hamper England's chances.
Englands bid committee have been in damage control as footage of the riots is shown around the world.
A 2018 bid spokesman said: England 2018 shares the FA's stance in condemning the disorder surrounding last night's Carling Cup fixture between West Ham and Millwall.
The scenes from Upton Park were a regrettable but isolated example of a culture that the football community has worked tirelessly to eradicate from our game.
It is extremely disappointing that the mindless actions of a tiny minority have today deflected from the passion and dedication that millions of genuine fans show every week for our national game.
But Fox Sports football commentator Simon Hill says riots will not have too significant an impact of England's World Cup bid.
Obviously, the World Cup wont be decided on one specific issue. While this is damaging, I think to say that England's hopes have been battered is probably a bit sensationalist.
If this violence was part of a pattern that had been prevalent in English football over the past couple of years, I would say there would be a major problem. But this is a one off.
Hill also said while the actions of the fans were inexcusable, the roots of the violence go much deeper than just a football rivalry.
Im not trying to demean what happened last night because these images will shame England around the world.
This rivalry is very much a local scrap. This rivalry goes all the way back to 1926 and the days of the depression. It is a rivalry and a dislike of each other that has a wider context than just football.
"Unfortunately, football is the vehicle that they use to express that dislike for each other. This is not just a football problem, its a societal one.
British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe described the violent scenes as a disgrace to football and backed the Football Association's call for life bans for those found to have been involved in the incidents.
We are very annoyed and angry that we have a situation that is totally unacceptable where football fans run riot. I was pleased with the reaction of the Football Association and the clubs involved.
We will find out who these people are, they will be dealt with through the law and those that have caused a problem will be banned from football for life.
Sutcliffe said the violence brought back memories of the type of hooliganism that has been a blight on English football for decades.
We have made great progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it plagued the game,'' added Sutcliffe.
The FA are examining the events that saw a man stabbed outside Upton Park and pitch invasions occur following West Ham's goals. West Ham have pledged to help with the investigation but could also face action themselves.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed officers made several arrests and were scanning CCTV footage to identify hooligans.
West Ham also say they are taking seriously claims its striker Carlton Cole suffered racist abuse from Millwall fans during the match, with Cole allegedly the subject of monkey chants.
Millwall, who play in League One - effectively the third tier of English football - have promised to assist the authorities with their investigation.
A Millwall statement read: Millwall Football Club joins West Ham United and the FA in condemning the actions of those people whose behaviour both inside and outside the Boleyn Ground marred Tuesday night's excellent Carling Cup tie between the two clubs.
Any Millwall supporter identified as being involved in criminal activity relating to the events of August 25 will receive an indefinite ban from the club.
- with AFP
West Ham United and Millwall fans threaten England's World Cup bid
By staff writers
August 27, 2009 England's bid to host the 2018 football World Cup finals has been dealt a massive blow as the fallout continues from violent clashes between rival fans in London on Wednesday.
Several hundred West Ham United and Millwall fans clashed outside Upton Park before the Carling Cup tie between the two sides, throwing bottles and bricks and starting small fires as police moved in to try and stop the violence.
Australia is also aiming to host the World Cup in 2018 and hopes have been raised of a successful bid with the ugly scenes in east London likely to hamper England's chances.
Englands bid committee have been in damage control as footage of the riots is shown around the world.
A 2018 bid spokesman said: England 2018 shares the FA's stance in condemning the disorder surrounding last night's Carling Cup fixture between West Ham and Millwall.
The scenes from Upton Park were a regrettable but isolated example of a culture that the football community has worked tirelessly to eradicate from our game.
It is extremely disappointing that the mindless actions of a tiny minority have today deflected from the passion and dedication that millions of genuine fans show every week for our national game.
But Fox Sports football commentator Simon Hill says riots will not have too significant an impact of England's World Cup bid.
Obviously, the World Cup wont be decided on one specific issue. While this is damaging, I think to say that England's hopes have been battered is probably a bit sensationalist.
If this violence was part of a pattern that had been prevalent in English football over the past couple of years, I would say there would be a major problem. But this is a one off.
Hill also said while the actions of the fans were inexcusable, the roots of the violence go much deeper than just a football rivalry.
Im not trying to demean what happened last night because these images will shame England around the world.
This rivalry is very much a local scrap. This rivalry goes all the way back to 1926 and the days of the depression. It is a rivalry and a dislike of each other that has a wider context than just football.
"Unfortunately, football is the vehicle that they use to express that dislike for each other. This is not just a football problem, its a societal one.
British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe described the violent scenes as a disgrace to football and backed the Football Association's call for life bans for those found to have been involved in the incidents.
We are very annoyed and angry that we have a situation that is totally unacceptable where football fans run riot. I was pleased with the reaction of the Football Association and the clubs involved.
We will find out who these people are, they will be dealt with through the law and those that have caused a problem will be banned from football for life.
Sutcliffe said the violence brought back memories of the type of hooliganism that has been a blight on English football for decades.
We have made great progress in the past 20 years in tackling football hooliganism in this country and we will not tolerate any return to the dark days of the 70s and 80s when it plagued the game,'' added Sutcliffe.
The FA are examining the events that saw a man stabbed outside Upton Park and pitch invasions occur following West Ham's goals. West Ham have pledged to help with the investigation but could also face action themselves.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed officers made several arrests and were scanning CCTV footage to identify hooligans.
West Ham also say they are taking seriously claims its striker Carlton Cole suffered racist abuse from Millwall fans during the match, with Cole allegedly the subject of monkey chants.
Millwall, who play in League One - effectively the third tier of English football - have promised to assist the authorities with their investigation.
A Millwall statement read: Millwall Football Club joins West Ham United and the FA in condemning the actions of those people whose behaviour both inside and outside the Boleyn Ground marred Tuesday night's excellent Carling Cup tie between the two clubs.
Any Millwall supporter identified as being involved in criminal activity relating to the events of August 25 will receive an indefinite ban from the club.
- with AFP
