The so-called beautiful game, football, is making British headlines as England and the Republic of Ireland prepare to do battle on the pitch. Fears of violence are making the headlines more than hopes for the game itself. England fans have a bad track record and today is a poignant date in British football history.
On May 29, 1985, thirty-nine Juventus fans were crushed to death during rioting at the European Football Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus in Brussels. 39 football fans died and 600 plus people sustained injuries.
On May 29, 2013, England play the Republic Ireland at Wembley and England manager Roy Hodgson is hoping for a peaceful match. He will not want a repeat of their last game.
The two teams last played each other 18 years ago. That game had to be abandoned 27 minutes in, due to English fans rioting. Football songs and chanting may lift the spirit of your squad and fellow fans but they can cause offense to the opposition. Football fans know this and use both to manipulate the situation on and off the pitch.
Tuesday Roy Hodgson asked that English fans refrain from inflammatory chants and songs. Wednesday, prior to the match, the FA, Football Association, is sending out warning emails to all fans holding a ticket for the game.
In the email Roy Hodgson says:
Ahead of the Ireland fixture, on behalf of The FA, I would like to ask our supporters to please respect our opponents and welcome them in the right way.
Wembley is considered the world over as the home of football and we ask those attending to not take part in any chanting - particularly of a religious or political perspective - which could cause offence to our visitors or fellow fans.
Ireland and England have history, on and off the pitch. Many of the songs and chants which could ignite violence are related to the Northern Ireland Troubles and historical differences.
The match is a sell-out with 90,000 tickets sold. However only 10,000 of these tickets are estimated as in the hands of the away fans, supporting Ireland.
Ireland's FA supports the action taken to try to prevent chanting, songs and violence which may cause offense, but is not issuing similar email warnings to its ticketed fans. Perhaps the difference is that England fans have been in trouble more than once in recent months and FIFA have already marked their card.
Timing:
England versus the Republic of Ireland football match kicks off Wednesday May 29, 2013, at 8pm BST, at Wembley.
It is on free to view television in the UK on ITV.
Comment:
Tonight's match is a friendly so let's hope those on and off the pitch keep it that way. Racism on the field and in the stands should not be tolerated. Players should lead by example, abiding by the rules of football and carrying themselves as sportsmen not thugs.
Football fans will be hoping for a good match but sadly more people may initially be watching the crowd for any signs of violence.
Good luck to both teams.
Update:
The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Fans managed to keep a lid on their enthusiasm, with nothing more than the odd smoke flare tingeing the air. Former England player Gary Lineker was not impressed with the England teams' performance. He tweeted his disappointment that Hodgson played a 4 - 4 - 2 combination. In his opinion if this continues the team is doomed to fail.
On May 29, 1985, thirty-nine Juventus fans were crushed to death during rioting at the European Football Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus in Brussels. 39 football fans died and 600 plus people sustained injuries.
On May 29, 2013, England play the Republic Ireland at Wembley and England manager Roy Hodgson is hoping for a peaceful match. He will not want a repeat of their last game.
The two teams last played each other 18 years ago. That game had to be abandoned 27 minutes in, due to English fans rioting. Football songs and chanting may lift the spirit of your squad and fellow fans but they can cause offense to the opposition. Football fans know this and use both to manipulate the situation on and off the pitch.
Tuesday Roy Hodgson asked that English fans refrain from inflammatory chants and songs. Wednesday, prior to the match, the FA, Football Association, is sending out warning emails to all fans holding a ticket for the game.
In the email Roy Hodgson says:
Ahead of the Ireland fixture, on behalf of The FA, I would like to ask our supporters to please respect our opponents and welcome them in the right way.
Wembley is considered the world over as the home of football and we ask those attending to not take part in any chanting - particularly of a religious or political perspective - which could cause offence to our visitors or fellow fans.
Ireland and England have history, on and off the pitch. Many of the songs and chants which could ignite violence are related to the Northern Ireland Troubles and historical differences.
The match is a sell-out with 90,000 tickets sold. However only 10,000 of these tickets are estimated as in the hands of the away fans, supporting Ireland.
Ireland's FA supports the action taken to try to prevent chanting, songs and violence which may cause offense, but is not issuing similar email warnings to its ticketed fans. Perhaps the difference is that England fans have been in trouble more than once in recent months and FIFA have already marked their card.
Timing:
England versus the Republic of Ireland football match kicks off Wednesday May 29, 2013, at 8pm BST, at Wembley.
It is on free to view television in the UK on ITV.
Comment:
Tonight's match is a friendly so let's hope those on and off the pitch keep it that way. Racism on the field and in the stands should not be tolerated. Players should lead by example, abiding by the rules of football and carrying themselves as sportsmen not thugs.
Football fans will be hoping for a good match but sadly more people may initially be watching the crowd for any signs of violence.
Good luck to both teams.
Update:
The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Fans managed to keep a lid on their enthusiasm, with nothing more than the odd smoke flare tingeing the air. Former England player Gary Lineker was not impressed with the England teams' performance. He tweeted his disappointment that Hodgson played a 4 - 4 - 2 combination. In his opinion if this continues the team is doomed to fail.
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