Football Hooliganism is a way life in the world of Soccer, Futball, or Football depending on your location. The British media refers to it as The English Disease. Local supporters of Football Clubs engage in destructive behavior such as vandalism, violence and intimidation
In contrast to the standard American gang, Hooligans do everything in support of their favorite club. 'Crews' dress in publicly accepted apparel, such as designer brands and high end sports gear to blend into public as standing members of society who support a harmless sports team. The emergence of the first 'crews' started in the 1970s when England's premier teams all had hardcore supporters. Violence became so widespread that opposing fans during matches are segregated and fenced apart inside stadiums. Scattered law enforcement and security is scattered in both crowds. These precautions were taken in 1974 after a Bolton Wanderers Hooligan stabbed a young Blackpool fan behind Bloomfield Road, stadium home to Blackpool. In the same year, England's most popular FC (Football Club) Manchester United was relegated to premierships second division (there are 3 divisions, ranked 1 to 3). United, always one of the premier teams in the country, are not used to being relegated. United's crew of hooligans caused mayhem across the country. Many incidence and years later in 1999, the Football (Offences and Disorders) Act was implemented in Whales and England. The laws also apply in Scotland, Sweden, Italy, The Republic of Ireland, Norway, and France.The act is enforced by the National Criminal Intelligence Service, which also acts as the UK's Interpol and Europol host locations. The NCIS keeps a database of convicted as well as suspected violators. The database lists supporters in three different categories. Those placed in category A are considered peaceful bone-fide supporters. Category B are those who are prone to cause disorder, and alcohol related violence. Category C are the hardcore Hooligans, they are supporters and organizers of violence. They will use the internet, and text messaging to organize fights with opposing crews. The NCIS can place a banning order on these Hooligans, revoking their passports and forcing them to check into police stations periodically.
In contrast to the standard American gang, Hooligans do everything in support of their favorite club. 'Crews' dress in publicly accepted apparel, such as designer brands and high end sports gear to blend into public as standing members of society who support a harmless sports team. The emergence of the first 'crews' started in the 1970s when England's premier teams all had hardcore supporters. Violence became so widespread that opposing fans during matches are segregated and fenced apart inside stadiums. Scattered law enforcement and security is scattered in both crowds. These precautions were taken in 1974 after a Bolton Wanderers Hooligan stabbed a young Blackpool fan behind Bloomfield Road, stadium home to Blackpool. In the same year, England's most popular FC (Football Club) Manchester United was relegated to premierships second division (there are 3 divisions, ranked 1 to 3). United, always one of the premier teams in the country, are not used to being relegated. United's crew of hooligans caused mayhem across the country. Many incidence and years later in 1999, the Football (Offences and Disorders) Act was implemented in Whales and England. The laws also apply in Scotland, Sweden, Italy, The Republic of Ireland, Norway, and France.The act is enforced by the National Criminal Intelligence Service, which also acts as the UK's Interpol and Europol host locations. The NCIS keeps a database of convicted as well as suspected violators. The database lists supporters in three different categories. Those placed in category A are considered peaceful bone-fide supporters. Category B are those who are prone to cause disorder, and alcohol related violence. Category C are the hardcore Hooligans, they are supporters and organizers of violence. They will use the internet, and text messaging to organize fights with opposing crews. The NCIS can place a banning order on these Hooligans, revoking their passports and forcing them to check into police stations periodically.
The film Green Street was released in 2005. It is a story of a Harvard student who is introduced to the life of a member in West Ham's Hooligan Crew, The Green Street Elite.
Picture of crews fighting is in the bottom most picture on the right.
This raises the question, are more hooligans imminent to surface elsewhere in the world, or in different sports?
After an annual preseason game between the San Francisco 49'ers and the Oakland Raiders in the 2011 season, two Raider fans were shot and seriously injured.
The Raiders and 49'ers will no longer play eachother during the preseason.
On opening day of the 2011 baseball season, Bryan Stow a San Francisco Giant Fan, was beaten to the point of comatose and paralysis by two Los Angeles Dodger fans outside of Dodger Stadium.
Sports fans can only hope that they can continue to support their team without being afraid of harm coming to them. There will always be crazies, but is that number increasing?
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