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No Security Should Equal Pulling Out
I don’t often talk about international football but with the furore that has surrounded the events in Marseille at the weekend I wanted to touch on some thoughts about what happened and why I think it’s worrying for the future.
Before I go into this, I need to make two things clear. Firstly, I wasn’t in Marseille (although it was possible at one time I was going). I can only comment on what I’ve seen and from what my friends who were there have told me. It’s important to me that you make your own minds up and as such I recommend you read some of the raft of pieces that have been written in the wake of the trouble. I’d recommend this piece by Ken Early, the statement by the FSF and this Facebook post by Craig Lyons to begin with.
Secondly, I abhor hooliganism. I have no sympathy for people who go to football games purely to start fights – they’re a stain on the game and they’re just as bad as anything that went on.
Anyone who follows Blues with any regularity will know trouble happens at away games. As a seasoned football fan it’s one of those things that is normally fairly easy to dodge – if you don’t go looking for trouble, it won’t find you; the ones who do want to fight generally arrange to meet each other and do what they need to away from the rest of us. I don’t like it but it’s the way it is – some people need a good fight in their lives.
Marseille was different though. We’ve seen the images of the bald, overweight and shirtless, heavily tattooed England fans holding their arms out in a gesture of “come and have a go” – and there have been times where those fans have brought shame on our country. I had three friends who were in this bar before the game having a drink and you can see the Russians were organised, tooled up and ready for war. These are guys who have been to literally thousands of games – who know the score – and who afterwards said it was probably the scariest situation they’d been in for some time.
There are youtube videos of Russian ultras running around Marseille, being directed by signs and markers to flashpoints and then brutally picking off fans regardless of them being “hooligans” or not. Seeing Russian ultras posing with “captured” crosses of St George shows how militaristic they were in their planning; it’s almost an act of terrorism let alone hooliganism.
I think the FA need to be brave here. I really am expecting it to “go off” again before the next game – and if it does I wouldn’t wait for UEFA to kick us out of the Championships. I’d stick my middle finger up and say if you can’t guarantee the safety of our fans inside the grounds (and at the Stade Velodrome it was clear they couldn’t) then we have to pull out. In what is already a tight security situation it appears the French haven’t been able to keep weapons out of the stadiums; if they can’t do that then it’s not worth it. No one should go to a football match and not come home.
90 Responses to “No Security Should Equal Pulling Out”
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Here Here. Bang on the money.
I completely agree. The policing has been woeful, and the conduct of Russian ‘fans’ is just as abhorrent as you would expect from a country led by a madman. They should be stripped of their ability to host future tournaments.
I’m not so sure it’ll kick off again. The consensus seems to be that the Russians had a big red circle around Marseille in their calendars.
Being there, it certainly felt that way. It was a melting pot of local ultras, local youths, tooled up Russians, heavy handed then weirdly under handed security and Stella drinking morons. This will be the peak for violence.
It’s time the world sent a message to Russia, a cesspit of a country. Let’s hope it starts by kicking them out of the Euros and banning them from the Olympics.
Spot on
Why stop there? Take the 2018 World Cup off them and give it to someone else, can you imagine how dangerous and violent that World Cup will be like judging on what we saw in Marseille? Usual bollocks and rhetoric coming out of Moscow, “160 brave countryman stood up to the English agressors” – you get the feeling the Russian Government are quite proud of what happened.
I agree. I did say I hope it starts with the examples I gave, not end there.
In two years russia hosts the world cup FIFA should look again at allowing them to hold it there when Russian diplomats are condoning violence and describing it as war also previous trouble at other tournaments will follow England for a long time and that reputation was bought on ourselves
Dan totally agree with you!!! The police have varied from tatically negligent to non existant! This not long after the country suffered a horrific terrorist attack!! How a flare gun ended up in the ground i will never know??!! The fact that hundreds off Russians managed to storm the England fans end with NO police intervention,leaves me dumbstruck!! England and Russia have long have known hooligan elements and after the events in the streets over the previous days they (police)!should have been ready!!Lets hope nobody dies due to crowd trouble!!.
If security is so tight how come flares/pyro were able to be bought into the stadium? roughly the same size as a stick of Dynamite or a large Semtex? as for the Police?it’s easier to round up drunken English than tooled up Russkies.
But looking at our track record we will be out soon anyway
Seems really really odd that the only custodials handed out were to England fans mainly for chucking bottles. Not condoning this, but I’ve seen plenty of high quality footage of people being set upon by numerous individuals and KO’d. The cynic in me suggests England fans are an easier and deliberate target for the authorities.
When the flares went off at the Eng V Rus game I thought that is they could get them into the ground then they could get anything in. The French security and indiscriminate policing is a joke. It is Russia that should be disqualified for the good of the tournament.
I agree with everything you say Dan. What concerns me though is the fact that the we are being led to believe that the French authorities are concentrating on terrorism & therefore the hooliganism element has reared it’s ugly head again. What bullshit is that? Surely the two go hand in hand to some extent, combatting both ensures a safe & enjoyable tournament for everyone. How is it that fans are not segregated in the stadiums? How is it that so called fans can take in flares, rockets, what ever else they choose to without being stopped by security? I read that in France they don’t have police in stadiums, only outside and surrounding neighbourhood on the day of a game. What utter bullshit is that? There are serious flaws in the security of everyone at Euro 2016 despite the hooliganism. We can all see that from here. Authorities need to realize this should be a rude awakening for everyone. Elsewhere, FIFA should be stepping in now & warning Russia…..any more and you will NOT host the next World Cup, simple as!!!
My disgust is that “the authorities” have totally failed to understand the bigger picture here and are treating the England fans as being as responsible as the Russians. Dynamo Locomotiv have a gang of hoolies who have been body building for months/years in readiness for the Euros. They marauded through the streets of Marseilles and attacked the England fans in back streets as well as in official entertainment zones. A Russian MP has praised these criminals for giving a kicking to Russia’s “biggest enemy”. No reprimands from Putin for his thug MP or his criminal compatriots. I would bring the team home and ban Russia from holding the world cup. Any one who is planning to go to Russia to watch the world cup should seek psychiatric help. The French are clueless and gutless. They wait for the trouble to kick off then attack defenceless and innocent fans. They were too frightened to tackle the Russians. Following the mass attacks by the Russian henchmen, the French did not make a single arrest. BRING THEM HOME!!!!
I agree with most of what you say, Bluenosesol, although obviously they have made arrests because there are six England fans in jail that I know of so clearly some arrests have been made. It wasn’t made known though how many other nations had been arrested if any. To be honest, after Saturday…and certainly if they cause more trouble this week….ALL nations FA’s should be putting it out there that they will not be going to the World Cup. And by that I mean countries FA’s boycotting participating altogether not just fans.
Hi Atko, I was referring to the Russian fans. They marauded the streets inflicting criminal violence en masse yet not one of them was arrested. Their athletes are drug cheats, their supporters are criminals and racists. It might be easier to simply ban Russia from sport as they do not know what the word means.
From what I heard on the news last night, NO russians were arrested. As usual, England take the brunt of the blame.
Based on what you have said here Dan and based on the other acts of international terrorism, England should make the decision to pull out. When fans of the game are there to cause added security problems even after the recent disaster in Paris, there is no justification for continuing the competition. This would be better than it being punishment coming from FIFA or whoever. Just stepping up security as the response does not acknowledge the magnitude of the problem. We have seen acts on the field like allowing the other team to score in response to unfair play, so something symbolic like that should be done by the England team. Something symbolic should also be done by the England fans to carry the message. Clinging to the idea that our team must win a game is irrelevant at this point.
Just remember guys, these vile people host the next World Cup!!
There were reports last week before the cup had even started that this is what the so caled Russian fans had been preparing for. In one report I saw I think it might have been on facebook that they wanted to actually “KILL” England fans.
This lot imo are a bunch of cowards they are not attacking other fans who are “up for it” but genuine supporters who are there soley to have a good time & watch the football, they are being attacked while they are sitting down having a meal it’s a total disgrace & when they are forced onto defending themselves, as we’ve seen, it’s the England fans getting arrested.
For the sake of these championships I think the format needs to be changed as this hooliganism will never go away, and do it similar to how the chamions league is done. Each team in a small league with home & away games. Or like the fa cup 1 v 1 but with home & away games & a designated country where the final will be held.
Lille will be the major test on Wednesday and Thursday when England and Russian fans will clash again and it’s a worrying thought to say the least … From what I’ve heard and been informed is that Russian and French ultras are ganging together and attacking England fans who aren’t looking for trouble and causing provocation of major proportion and so fighting breaking out all over the place …. Outside the ground is bad enough but when it happens inside the ground like Saturday night then ALL parties are responsible and for me it will boil over again and again .. Let’s hope the England and Wales fans enjoy Lille and keep well away from any trouble but that’s wishful thinking even with or without an alcohol ban ! KRO
I don’t agree that we should pull out of the competition and I also do not believe that we will be thrown out by EUFA.
I have seen first hand how to control Russian fans. I lived in Kiev for many years and back in the days of the Soviet Union Dynamo Kiev v Moscow Spartak was considered to be like a Blues v Villa derby.
Some years ago they were both pooled in the Champions League and when approximately 5 000 Russian fans descended on Kiev the cops were ready for them. The coaches were met as they entered the City, the fans who arrived by train were corralled into a big group and even those that came by plane were marshaled. They were all escorted to the Olympic stadium by masses of police in riot gear and were not allowed to use the bars or restaurants in the City. It was minus 15 when the game started and many of those idiots were standing almost stark naked in a section that was surrounded by police. The few missiles throwers were grabbed by the police and arrested. When the game was over they were made to wait about two hours in the freezing weather before they were again escorted to their coaches or the train station. There was no trouble and to cap it all Dynamo stuffed them.
You let these animals run free and you will inevitably have trouble. The police should take a leaf out of the Ukrainians book and do the same thing with them in France as these Russians are just a stupid bunch of dangerous thugs who are bent on causing trouble and they don’t give a damn.
There shouldn’t be away fans , sorry Dave and co , television money and the taxman should help lessen the loss of gate money , as it costs the taxpayer money to stop the violence , Cinemas should be opened up again so that away fans can watch their team in their home town , so get those Cinemas opened Sky tv , Obviously the star teams will be on television still . There you go …..get your teeth into that …..ha ha ha………KRO
It’s totally obvious William that I completely disagree with that point .. Away fans are the heart and soul of supporting your club and a minority of nut cases ain’t never gonna change it and if it did ever come to it then footballs body is dead … Supporting your club and country outside of its barriers is a must and should never be taken away . KRO
I rest my case. https://www.facebook.com/russianultrascom/photos/pcb.862339933856173/862339807189519/?type=3
I spent years working around the UK ,and as soon as some people hear a different accent trouble can start , it as always been that way , in certain towns or areas …..it’s the same abroad ……KRO
I’ve been all around the country and parts of Europe supporting Blues and it’s a fantastic experience chatting and enjoying other fans company … This episode should never take that away because the majority of fans behave and just mingle and enjoy the occasion and morons who cause trouble should never and will never take that away ! KRO
Oh and by the way the Russians have been given a suspended disqualification from the tournament .. In other words play up again inside the ground and your out .. About bloody time to !! KRO
Well put Dave.
The fine and suspended sentence is only for problems inside the stadium. They limit themselves to the stadium only.
That’s what there saying mate . KRO
Lets take a minute to consider Russia, or Mongol hoards for that is what they are, basically the most savage, unsophisticated, nation on earth,h as has-been said they trained for this for 2 years. Just like in Ukraine they live by violence they are thugs, enormous pumped up guys running amok at odds with civilisation as we know it.
It is well known at the end of the last war the Germans were desperate to avoid falling into their hands as opposed to US France or UK we can see why, they are animals led by a despot. who is himself a nutter spending his time bodybuilding.
Dan speaks of the Fat, Balding, Tattooed, English looking for trouble there is no doubt there were some, why are nearly all these people so physically unattractive?. They are a disgrace, an utter embarrassment, a laughing stock who bring shame to our nation, if they kick of again then we should be expelled from the competition.
As for Russia how can it be that a nation who has produced such great authors, Ballet, scientist ,and composers behave in this way? Putin bears a lot of responsibility. but for all that they are mongols
These Russian thugs are state sponsored. They have been given formal training, paid for and co-ordinated by sinister parts of the Russian State. On their return to Russia they will not be punished but congratulated. Many of them were involved in the Crimea, Ukraine and other Russian civil disturbances.
England have over 3000 banning orders in place..meaning trouble makers are prevented from travelling abroad to prevent trouble…..Russkies give theres a packed lunch and a good luck message!! kick the garbage, out a suspension and a small fine to a country of crooked gangsters is like poking an elephant with a twig………..(don’t do this in France ..you will be arrested for possessing a twig while Russians can have iron bars)
When you’ve been in the same resorts abroad as the Russians then you know what arrogant bully boys they really are .. They think they rule the world and can get away with anything .. Time for lessons to be given . KRO
Sounds familiar.
I did say sorry at the start of the comment guys but unless they hit bad fans harder , policing will cost to much and anti football buffs will ruin the game …..KRO..
Yes but your hitting the good fans even harder William and the cost of policing with respect is of no concern to me whatsoever and it won’t just be anti football buffs ruin the game .. It will be the game itself ! KRO
Very good article from Ken Early. Dont understand why the French are resisting the help of our very experienced anti hooliganism police. Hardly the spirit of European cooperation. Russia is lawless. Ive been, ive seen and I was bloody glad to get out. Very attractive coin operated women but extremely unattractive gangsters and thugs – and thats only the politicians. Mind you most wealthy Russians live in London , France or Switzerland- says it all really.
Birmingham city fan banned for five years for chucking chair in Marseille .. You idiot boy !
I think that’s a bit extreme. The French authorities *should* learn a huge lesson from this and although I feel it will kick off again it won’t be on the same scale as the two towns will be almost on lockdown with the volume of Police and the booze ban.
What seriously needs to be questioned by FIFA is Russia hosting the World Cup in 2018. With political figures championing the violence along with their shocking record of racism at Football along with repealed violence that have meant sanctions of having to play games behind closed doors, can a tournament really be hosted there? FIFA need to take a closer look. I went out to Brazil and will be heading to France on Thursday but I’m having serious concerns about going to Russia (which me and my mates had already planned) due to the recent activity.
Perhaps away fans or even all fans should carry a licence of good behaviour , and if the misbehaved get penalty points stamped in it and bans , and life bans for using somebody else’s licence ..it’s crap I know , but just thinking ahead so drastic measures can be avoided in the future. …KRO
Two questions:
Are Russian fans organized and out for blood because of incidents in a previous competition? Are they getting revenge?
Arent most men up for it when confronted, after a beer or two and with comrades beside them?
The Russians are stone cold sober apparently when attacking the England fans in riot gear and ballaclavers .. If attacked by them what do you say ? .. What do you do? .. You bloody stick up for yourself and defend yourself sober or not .. It makes absolutely no difference to me what so ever but that’s my opinion and stance . KRO
Never forget when we were kids, a lad came into our local late evening and beat the crap out of a lad who had been drinking heavily to settle an old score. The battered lad returned the compliment some time later. They were both naughty boys for taking advantage of the fact that the other guy had been drinking heavily. Just saying……
That says a lot for who they are when they can only take someone out when they are pissed .. Cowards and can’t look after themselves under equal circumstances . KRO
Good points Texas Pete ,
Tired of reading of the blame being laid to rest on poor policing or bad tournament organisation. What makes soccer so special that it requires so much more effort to ensure that events take place with the minimum of trouble?
Because of the millions of fans who go to games and watch it all over the world more than any other sport that makes it special I think ! Just a thought ! KRO
Dave, I don’t accept that. maybe soccer does attract more people but there are so many other sporting events where rival followers can be in close proximity without turning an area into a war zone.
Correct Barry about other sports being more fan friendly and rugby along with cricket are examples of that but football ( not soccer ) is more tribal and territorial and that’s the way it is .. Not supporting that attitude mate but weather you except it or not that’s the way it is and you take the good with the bad in any sport .. Me or you ain’t gonna change it or the future so sorry to be so realistic but that’s something that goes down quite well on his site . KRO
Dave, I used the word soccer rather than football deliberately. Currently, I live in Ireland where both Gaelic Football and soccer are both massively popular. Both are very much “tribal” in their followings and both can pull in a fair few supporters to a game. Drink can be consumed in large quantities and the fans can sing their songs and throw banter between opposing teams and yet it’s only the “soccer” that seems to attract the level of mindless behaviour. I accept it may be the way it is now but I don’t accept that it cannot be changed. We’ve come a long way from the bad old days of the 1970s and firstly, I don’t want them to return and secondly, if change was possible then it must be possible to take it further. Maybe I’m not being realistic but I wouldn’t be a Blues supporter if I couldn’t dream for better days. KRO
We all dream of better days Barry and to me like yourself Blues comes first and England a very distant second … Following Blues as been a pleasure for me all season and Blues making the playoffs next season is more important to me than England winning Euro 2016… Your points taken on board and having been to both the north and south of Ireland it’s a beautiful country with lovely hospital people . No grudge Barry ok ? KRO
Hospitipal I think ? KRO
Hospitable.
I think football, here at least, is going some way to being at a point where fans can mingle safely, however we had to go through some tough times to get there, and there’s still some way to go.
I think the hooliganism really started because football was always the “working class” game, so it kinda went hand-in-hand with the tough times, it’s always the poorest who suffer most when the economy is in the toilet after all, so it became a bit of a release, and then a bad habit.
It’ll take time but I really believe that football is starting to grow out of that habit in this country, although as I said, still a distance to take yet down that road. But, we’re Blues, we’ll Keep Right On down that road, and show everyone what an awesome club we are at the end of it (I hope).
I look at it this way , if Fans try to win by fowl means,…All it means is that they are fowl …..KRO
Blow the whistle ! KRO
The security of the fans and policing has been a joke. ISIS will be rubbing their hands. If Russian fans can smuggle in flares and fireworks it can’t be particularly difficult to bring in explosives or a gun. Lets hope the threat of a ban stops these idiots but I doubt it
According to the BM, ‘It’s being reported that 50 Russia fans have been dragged off a coach bound for Lille and deported by French police following the sickening violence in Marseilles.’
Better late than never I suppose.
Sky sports news said that 24 hours ago mate … A lot faster than the Vile mail one thinks .. KRO
Yeah Staffs, but they got the wrong ones, these were genuine fans from the Russian Fans Football federation, nothing to do with the violence, yet again the French Police get it spectacularly wrong.
Got to ask yourself, given the problems England fans had in Marseille in 1998 (I was there, and witnessed the “locals” gunning for a fight) why would you put England back there, especially for a match that had trouble written all over it? Why are the French police advising England fans to head for Lille (where the Russians will be based)?
Piss up and brewery spring to mind.
Also, how come no threats given out to the German, Polish, Ukranian and Northern Irish FAs following violence after their matches? Oh that’s right, they’re not English – so no media coverage, would be nice to see a bit of consistency from the UEFA, pen pushers!
Sorry about that Dave your sound as a pound mate …
Does anyone really want to go to Russia for the 2022 a world cup? If the euros are bad, just wait till they’re on their own soil. You’ll either be savagely beaten, killed, or thrown in a Russian prison and never seen again. Hats off to Blatter, was the other choice Libya?
2018 Russia Mate
2022 is Qatar
Nice to see Chester letting the fans know what’s going off in the transfer front , he has got my vote already , keep it up Chester …
One of the reasons Chester came back to blues was the passion blues away supporters show at matches , that’s a great compliment , KRO
Totally agree.
What is disgraceful is that these Russian scum have a World Cup.
People initially want to accuse England fans but when faced with idiots who have turned up pre-meditated to fight with knuckle dusters, mma gear, gumshields, knives, batons and various other items then some of the people slagging off England fans throwing chairs should really try and put themselves in the situation when faced with it.
You can’t turn the other cheek when your friends are taking a kicking some to within inches of their lives!!!
The important questions are as follows:
Russia & Qatar have been awarded World Cups in what has proven to be an invalid bid process. So why has this not been re-done?
Russia has it’s political problems, state sponsored doping in Athletics why not football but still they are seen as a viable option.
Qatar don’t even get me started on that farce!!
Why don’t the FA and all the World’s disgruntled nations about FIFA’s antics club together and resign from FIFA which would force change. England, Germany, USA, Australia and at least 30 other nations surely should consider their own governing body in a breakaway.
It’s quite laughable that the Russian’s now want to mock England fans as wimps. But to be honest that’s a bit rich when you consider it’s the most unfair fight since the Brits went up against the Zulus armed with guns in opposition to them having just knives!!
this doesn’t surprise me at all. when watching bcfc videos I often see hooligan related videos in links to the right of the video im watching. ive watched a few of them and polish/russian/ukranian hooligans look toward English as pioneers of hooliganism. trouble is, from what I was watching, I conclude that whilst England clamped down on it, they seem to have brought hooliganism to a different plane. Russian hooli’s, knowing they had England came intent on causing trouble to show England and the rest of the hooligan mad countries ‘look at us’ type thing imo.. they have been warned so any more trouble kick them out .. attacking innocent fans though takes 50 shades of piss. hooliganism is pointless, and from what I can see, just stupid. nothing can be gained from any type of violence but loss
I think that if FIFA don’t look at the situation seriously, then England need to consider withdrawing from the next World Cup on safety grounds, as should all the Home Nations.
Have there been any games in the last 5 years between English and Russian clubs in the cups that haven’t ended in some kind of trouble? They’ve had matches forced behind closed doors, countless fines (that probably ended up being paid for by their government), it’s getting beyond a joke.
However, if enough of the “star” nations, turn around and say they don’t feel safe going there, maybe -just maybe- someone higher up will go “hold on… is there a problem here we need to look at?”
Sorry to change the subject but who the hell is setting these player release clauses . We haven’t replaced Gray satisfactory yet who went too cheap .and now cotterill could go . selling at a measly 1.1 mill . So why didn’t we sell Maghoma when we had the chance who doesnt score enough goals for the 4*2 *3 *1 system we are using . Sol has not had enough game time yet ..and we don’t know whether he can score enough goals yet . Let’s hope GR has got somebody good lined up . Because this seems a big gamble to me ….
Realistically, the only way Solomon-Otabor will get a decent run, is if we sell Cotterill. Otherwise, it could be another season on and off the bench for him… unless he can get used to playing on the left wing. When Cotterill is on form, I can’t see any way Viv will force him out of the team.
Release clauses are written into new contracts by players agents and are basically a get out if a better offer comes up.More recently agents have started to implement ridiculously low release clauses making contracts a complete nonsense and the players/agents have it all ways.
That’s why they get what they want and we need to get use to it ! KRO
So we will have to sell a proven player to give an unproven one a game , Have we got a guaranteed replacement for Cotts Staffs or is it just pie in the sky , will he score as many goals as cotts and will otabor score enough .how can we run a club under such circumstances , mourinho says success at football depends on hundreds of iittle correct acts this ain’t them …
In my opinion, Solomon-Otabor is a long way off reaching Cotterill’s level, so we’d have to get a direct replacement and let Viv carrying progressing as he has.The point is, where will get get a player as effective as Cotterill for the money we’d get for him.
I said that cotterill won’t start the season at Blues and I may be right and I also said that Donsldson won’t start the season up front for Blues , again I maybe right . KRO
You did Dave , you read the build up to the end of the season very well mate .
I want cotterill to stay but money talks and that will be the case … With Donsldson it’s a time for change because we ain’t going anywhere while he’s up front on his own .. End off no argument ! .. Not another striker to play alongside him but a striker to replace him .. He’s done well as Donsldson but now we have to move on ! KRO
Donaldson
I agree that it is time to have someone else upfront but I would like Donaldson be his competition. For all the injury time Cotterill gets, 1.1M is fair. Still he does add a lot of class some of the time when he is fit.
Tbf to Cotterill, he’s made 66 league starts in 2 seasons, scored 13 goals and assisted God knows how many more. He’s annoyingly inconsistent, but basically the biggest threat we have going forward. He’s been extremely good value for a Bosman. Is a £1m enough to buy us the same threat?
I’ve been thinking all along that the Russian scum are terrorists. There is no the way to describe what they have done. A gang of them brutally attacking a man in his later years on his own, putting him into hospital and suffering brain damage. There is no other word for it. Terrorism. And a really disturbing development is the congratulations the Russian deputy leader of the Duma gave to the attackers, treating them like hero’s. What the hell has Putin done to Russia? And it’s young generation of men? Very disturbing times. A new cold war has begun. In both politics and football.
I agree about cotterill but if Donaldson stays he plays and that’s the problem with Rowett … He won’t drop him and it’s holding us back in my opinion . KRO
Jade Moore and Jo Potter have left Blues Ladies which is a shock.
It is reported that they have bought out the last 6 months of their contracts.
Just read that. It was at their request so not the club’s fault. It’s 2 more experienced players gone though.
It absolutely isn’t a shock to any of us who actually follow the team – and it’s definitely a good move for the club.
And we’ve signed two better players too IMO.
A shock .. I dont think so guys .. Move to the real world of women’s football .. I follow it more than you obviously so no shock here ..KR0
Returning to the Russian thuggery for a moment. It is not appropriate to use the word ‘fans’ after them. They are not fans just followers of hatred and violence at any opportunity or premeditated plans. My working days involved meeting and interviewing such mindless people and when it came to football and the so-called ‘fans’-the first question fired at them was to name any players that they were supposed to be supporting. Needless to say a large percentage had no idea. Chelsea is the best example of this.
Your right Mitchell.They have made this thuggery a sport in its own right.They have also taken it to another level. Tactics,disguises and training. Frightening .
google “Team Fighting Championships”. They did.