Football hooligans

This is sometimes described as the English Disease. Fights between supporters of rival teams sometimes take place immediately before or after football games; often at pre-arranged locations away from stadiums, in order to avoid police. A football firm is a gang formed with the intention of fighting with members from other clubs. Some people think that it is political; others agree it is senseless violence. Football and violence can be traced back to the middle Ages in England. In 1314, Edward II banned football because he believed the Firm surrounding matches might lead to social unrest or even treason.There are even reports of hooliganism in the modern game as far back as the 1880’s where footballers, supporters or referees would be attacked. It may be called the English disease, but it is a disease that is on the rise in many a country. In December 2000 it was reported that every club in Israel was on a final warning following a rise in violence at matches. In November 2006 it was reported that football was becoming a mirror of the country a battleground between Arab and Jewish fans. In 1968, over 70 people died when crowds attending a football match in Buenos Aires (Argentina) stampeded after youths threw burning paper on to the seating area. In the 2002 season, there had been five deaths and many knife and shotgun casualties. At one point the season was suspended and there was widespread social disorder in the country.

Vocabulary