Why do "football hooligans" riot at soccer games in Europe? Here in America, what we call "soccer" is such a peaceful game (suburban schoolgirls play it!) - why does soccer inspire so much violence in Europe?
2007-03-02 11:24:18 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Football (soccer) ignites huge passions among some of it's fans, and these lead to the riots. It's very different over here to how it is in America, I can tell you that for sure. Even at kids football matches, there are fights between parents. At the very top level, it gets even worse - some people's lives revolve around the sport.
It doesn't usually happen with other sports, though. Although not long ago there was a huge fight at a horse race. 'Violent' sports such as rugby never have rioting, and the fans who follow that tend to be much bigger, stronger and capable of fighting. Maybe it's a respect issue, or down to pure hatred of opposing clubs.
I'm unsure if any sports in the US have rioting between their fans, but if they do, it's the same sort of passions that cause the ones over here, just with different sports.
Oh, and if you think European rioting is bad, they're nothing compared to South America. They're even more passionate about football (soccer) than we are.
2007-03-02 11:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Neilos 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The most known hooligans are from England, but they can be found on the continent as well.
They really are a minority, though. But they always make the headlines, unfortunately. Basically, these guys just take football as an excuse to get into fights.
In England, a lot of people fight at the bar, or when bars close. I don't know why, it's kind of in the culture - although, obviously, not everyone fight! They just get drunk and get all excited together, then go and find people to fight. If only they only fought people who wanted to fight!
As for football itself, well, in Europe, and actually all over the world except America and a few other ocuntries, it is seen as a man's sport. I've never seen a girl football game on TV here.
2007-03-02 12:58:07 · answer #2 · answered by Offkey 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Contrary to popular belief the so called 'hooligans', particularly the London football teams, have extremely organised gangs made up of what would be described in every day life as 'respectible' individuals, doctors, lawyers, bankers (obviously not all are, but I'm trying to illustrate that people seem to assume hooligans are unemployed morons - even the Krays 'looked' respectible!). If these people didnt have football to hide behind they would find something else. They are inherently violent and love all that comes with it. It's shameful for the rest of us who want to enjoy football, but these thugs make all the headlines which just feeds their ego's. All they care about is having the 'hardest' reputation in Europe - sad but true.
2007-03-02 11:37:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I guess it's because soccer is Europe's most favorite and important sport. Plus there is the fact that there so many countries neighboring one another who face off in nation vs nation soccer games. So you will get serious people who want their country to win at all costs.
I suppose an analogy would be like having american football or baseball teams going up against football/baseball teams from Japan, Russia, France, Australia, etc. It would be seen as a total national event where all the fanatics would see it as a battle.
2007-03-02 11:34:49 · answer #4 · answered by Count De Monet 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah it is odd i know tho you have gangs with guns are gangs just happen to follow football so who has the hardest supporters is a part of the game. I suggest you watch Football Factory or Soul Crew when it comes out. I am not into fighting myself when in the U.K. they tried to stop this problem all that happend is gangs now fight away from the ground all i say is this if people want to fight let them as long as people who are not interested don`t have to get involved. Ps I am a Cardiff fan so I have seen plenty of riots at Ninian Park I was only a kid when a thousand got injured with one of the worst ever fights Cardiff Vs Chelsea so am glad its now moved away from the grounds. I just thought I should add this Britain has always had people trying to invade so fighting became a way of toughening up even tho the British have been outnumbered they have often fought so bravely they have won against extreme odds and now this violent culture is still part of society
2007-03-02 12:32:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Supporters (fans) are more passionate about British (and European) football than any other sport - I don't think there is an american sport where the level of enthusiasm and passion is the same. Supporters are taught by their parents to support the team that they do and in some cases, to hate the rival team (usually located in the same city). An example of this is in Scottish football with Celtic and Rangers . Both teams have supporters with a long standing hatred towards each other.
2016-03-16 03:20:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that when an American sports team wins, the fans riot, because some people are a lobe short of a full brain!
2007-03-03 13:52:38 · answer #7 · answered by Guitarist 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
High levels on testosterone are concentrated in the stands due to inadequate restroom facilities, the same phenomena has been observed on battlefields and recorded from the era of the Roman empire.
2007-03-02 11:28:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Every sport has their own small minority of idiots.
Just don't tar the majority with the same brush.
2007-03-02 11:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by Mighty C 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because they are the uncivilized people. Its just a game man!
2007-03-02 19:21:12 · answer #10 · answered by mia 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋