I wll admit that I am not a huge fan of soccer, so perhaps you'll have to forgive my naivete. But does this stuff always happen? Huge riots in Russia after their defeat, one person killed. Even BEFORE the US's match with Korea, there were Korean fans burning US flags in the streets. If it weren't for the US and our military, they'd be standing in line for a bowl of rice just like their Northern cousins. Oh, I've heard the stories of international soccer fans' exploits before, but you'd think the World Cup should bring out the best in people. Obviously not.

WTF happend to sportsmanship? If this is the kind of thing being a soccer fan is all about, the rest of the world can have it!:rolleyes:

Ok, so the little "Ohno" ceremony was cute. It looked like sour grapes to me, but it was witty. I bet Apollo is laughing his arse off that people are talking about him at the World Cup.

the Ohno Ceremony (http://www.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,5419703_71,00.html)

Yup, it's pretty sad that something meant to be fun and entertaining makes some assclowns run amok. Some teams and countries still have decent supporters who watch the game for the game's sake, and not use it as a catalystaor to find another fight or an excuse to inflict mayhem ... Some assclowns actually only go to a match to pick a fight :mad:

This is definitely not what being a football fan is all about, and luckily the majority of supporters still think so too

That's good to hear, Smurf. There may be hope for this game yet. :D
Thanks!

If you want an example of good behaviour look for the fans of Brazil, Ireland, Denmark! All excellent ambassadors of the Game!

generally, the behavior has been getting better....but you can pretty much be guaranteed that there will be a riot somewhere in the world while the world cup is being played

in the last world cup, people rioted in bangledesh for crying out loud, and they wern't even in the finals! (power shortages prevented them from seeing the games)

a number of years ago, war broke out between two countries over a controversial soccer game (though it did not last long)

smurf is right though, usually they are just idiots looking to cause trouble, rather than real football fans


oh ya....that wasn't a sour grapes celebration, that was a celebration in honour of stephen bradbury's unbelieveable performance :D

It is hard when so many people follows the sport with enthusiasm. There will always be trouble over sports.

I have heard many Americans complain over the South Koreans mixing politics and sport. I just want to remind the Americans with short term memory that you stayed away from the Olympics in 1980. I have also witnessed American football fans beating each other after a game in Philadelphia. It happens in all sports. You are just quick to pick on football because you do not understand how big the sport is.

even in canada, there were riots, looting, and one person got killed over a hockey game....i remember it well because i was there at the time (i was well behaved :angel: )

Yeah this behaviour seems to infest every major sport ... Wasn't it only 1-2 years ago the winners of the Stanley Cup went on a rampage thru' the city ????

... Sorry don't remember which team :)

Yeah...dodging flying batteries and other interesting projectiles at a Redskins game made me realize that the spectator violence is the same here as it is for football in Europe. The difference for Washington DC is that the local news is too busy covering murder scenes and corrupt politicians to really worry about hooligans at football games.

I also witnessed four Ravens fans beating a Redskins fan at a bar in Annapolis. Not that anyone cared. Anyone stupid enough to admit his Redskins allegiance deserves a good beating.

If you can't take the heated and passionate atmosphere in spectator sports, then I can recommend Bowling or Figure Skating.

Ok, Flix, I think you misunderstood me. I'm talking about things like the riots in Mocsow after Russia's loss and the anti-American protests in Korea before the match. Does that happen when the Ravens beat the Redskins? Do Redskin fans protest in the streets of DC, burning the flag of Baltimore? Do people get killed in the post-game riots?

Of course every country has assclowns who show up at sporting events (and imagine finding assclowns in a bar!:rolleyes: ). I just don't understand why people have to DIE bacause someone's team lost a game 3000 miles away. Perhaps I could have worded my question better.

Wait, you don't think figure skating is violent? I got two words for you: Tanya Harding :lol:

Originally posted by nolanbuc
Wait, you don't think figure skating is violent? I got two words for you: Tanya Harding :lol:

Good one, Buc...although I don't think that the aggression of one person against another one does not necessarily qualifies as a riot. :lol:

Okay...in Germany, there's also a fair amount of hooliganism - the rivalling hooligan groups are actually fixing their places where they beat each other up after the game via cell phone. Major moronity in full effect...can you say stupid? :rolleyes:
This has nothing to do with sports anymore, those people are just seeking the "extra kick" in the truest sense of the word. Luckily, security has tightened a lot in the recent years, so the people who are gathering in the stadiums to see the game won't be harmed by this minority anymore.

The riots in Moscow and the display of anger in South Korea has also not really something to do with the sport...Football was maybe the trigger, but not the reason. Any other reason could have started the riots, but with the prominent background of the World Cup, it has naturally attracted more attention.

You may sum it up to this: riots related to football are the exception...not the rule.

Excellent answer, Wave. :thumb: