Players say they will walk off the pitch if there is any racist abuse. Isn't that going to be a red rag to a bull?
I think those threats are aimed more at Bulgaria on Monday. Crowd trouble the main worry tonight - Friday night, 6000 England supporters drinking heavily in stag-party central. What could possibly go wrong??!?
Either game - the fact they've said this just gives racist idiots all the incentive they need. Imagine if England are winning 4-0 - what will fans who are not right in the head, do??
Agree with your thoughts Fired, although I also believe it has been aimed more at teh Bulgaria game. We can qualify tonight which I feel will make any walk off against Bulgaria a lot easier as the result and therefore UEFA/FIFA sanctions shouldn't really effect England. Could you imagine a game like Italy in 97, 10 mins from time and Paul Ince hears something being shouted and demands teh team to be taken off the pitch with everything still to play for? I'm all for the teams taking a stand and believe that they should do it( my brother in law is half west indian and I have no time for racism, homophobia, sexism etc) but as you suggest idiots will push the boundaries until people start to take a stand. Sadly I feel it may take a far bigger nation than Bulgaria to get sanctioned before we see anything being done about the overall problem.
After following England from 98 to 08, inc a world cup and a couple of euros - l don't know who Rice, Mount, Keane and Sancho are in the starting 11, l couldn't even tell you who they play for. I barely now know football outside of Oakwell since having a family and realising there's other stuff to do on a weekend evening. If only l could be refunded the thousands of pounds l spent following them!
31 arrests. 14 of those are English. Given there was 6k plus england fans mostly pissed out their trees. Thats not bad.
