April 4th 2024.
In the world of football, a new and dangerous trend has emerged - the rise of cocaine-fuelled hooligans. These individuals, known for their aggressive behavior and unyielding loyalty to their teams, are causing havoc and chaos in the streets near stadiums. Clad in balaclavas and armed with weapons, these gangs are waiting to attack innocent bystanders without any provocation.
One such incident occurred to Eddie McKay and his son, who had traveled to Milan to support their team, Newcastle United, in a Champions League match. However, their excitement turned into terror when they were ambushed by a group of eight men. Eddie, a 58-year-old grandfather, was stabbed three times with a machete and hit on the head with a police-style baton. He believes that the attack was targeted at him because of the black and white shirt he was wearing, representing his team.
The family had to return home and seek medical attention, missing the match they had eagerly awaited. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar attacks have been reported across Europe, as "ultra" football fanatics engage in violent clashes with rival fans. Some of these gangs even record and post footage of their fights on social media. Many of them train in gyms and practice martial arts to prepare for these violent confrontations.
Despite the chaos and destruction caused by these hooligans, they have a set of rules that govern their clashes. They allow the use of fists, rocks, and knives, but draw the line at guns. One of the leading members of the Italian ultras, Marco Ferdico, proudly displays his tattoos of Al Pacino characters, including Scarface. He declares that the city belongs to them and makes it clear that they do not welcome outsiders during football matches.
But it's not just the Italian fans who are causing trouble. Dutch and Polish supporters have also been involved in serious disorder. In one instance, Legia Warsaw fans threw flares at police and attacked their hoses at Villa Park in November. The disorder was described as the most severe that many police officers had ever seen.
In anticipation of the upcoming European Championship, the Home Office has announced that over 1,600 British citizens will be required to surrender their passports to prevent them from traveling to Germany. Those who fail to comply may face up to six months in jail. The policing minister, Chris Phil, has made it clear that there will be zero tolerance for any violence, abuse, or disorder during the event.
Unfortunately, it seems that England fans are at the greatest risk of being targeted by these hooligans. Jack Stephenson, a 28-year-old Brighton fan, was stabbed three times in the leg by a gang while walking back to his hotel. He recalls being punched from behind and losing consciousness before his friend came to his aid. Geoff Pearson, a professor of law who has been studying football hooliganism for over 30 years, believes that it is only a matter of time before fans are killed in large numbers during these matches.
But the issue of football hooliganism is not limited to Europe. In England, there were over 2,200 football-related arrests and 682 banning orders issued in the 2022-2023 season. Recreational drug use has also become a growing concern, with incidents of football fans mixing cocaine and alcohol. In January, a match between West Brom and Wolves was suspended for nearly 40 minutes due to a fight between rival fans, with reports of players' families being spat at.
Despite efforts to curb this behavior, it seems that the love for the game has been overshadowed by the violence and chaos brought on by these hooligans. As fans continue to engage in these dangerous acts, the safety of both players and spectators is at risk. It is time for authorities to take stronger action and address this growing issue before it results in even more harm and destruction.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
