Thai editorial: Football hooliganism must not take root

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Football hooliganism must not take root
The Nation

Violent scenes outside stadiums can only torpedo the popularity and success of the Thai game

BANGKOK: -- When "teams lose but fans don't" - a euphemism for sporting violence - the real loser is everybody. Hooliganism has cast a dark spell on Thai football in recent years and it reared its ugly head again over the weekend when rival fans clashed outside the SCG Stadium in Bangkok. The fighting left four people injured and took hours to quell. It also left the reputation of Thailand's top football league scarred. Pressure is now mounting for efforts to prevent a recurrence.

The "beautiful game" turned ugly on Saturday when visiting Singhtarua fans sought vengeance after Muangthong United rallied to secure a 3-1 victory over their team. Bottles were thrown and gunfire heard in an incident that police are still investigating.

The effect of such incidents is damaging to the game in general, discouraging parents with children from attending matches and raising the spectre of stadiums filled with thugs and troublemakers. Without supporters from across the whole social spectrum, it is difficult to see how Thai football can increase in popularity.

Demands for action first fell on the Football Association, but, with only two rounds of matches left before the season ends, it deferred a decision. And indeed, the timing of the disciplinary panel's verdict might not matter much when what is really needed from the FA is long-term measures to prevent hooliganism taking root in the country's favourite sport.

It will be an arduous task and there are no quick fixes. Two months ago FA president Worrawi Makudi came up with a bizarre rule that a match can be abandoned if anyone shouts "kee kong" ("cheat") - or the similar-sounding "kee mong" ("what time is it?"). Ridiculous as it might seem, the authorities believe such phrases are a major factor in instigating the violence.

Seeking solutions without addressing the root causes will not bring an end to violence at matches. The FA's ban on shouting provocative words hasn't worked - it was more like applying a sticking plaster to a gaping wound, judging by recent incidents.

First things first: the refereeing must be fair. Take away the controversial decisions and fans will be less likely to riot due to a sense of injustice. Separate seating areas and exits for home and away fans are also important. And, at the final whistle, fans must be guided to the proper exits to avoid clashes.

Another weapon in the authorities' armoury is strict and systematic penalties for clubs and fans over hooliganism. The FA could draw on standards applied in many other countries, where teams whose fans engage in mass brawls are fined and ordered to play matches behind closed doors, while the roughnecks are often banned for life from the stadium.

Such measures would pressure every Thai football club to ensure its fans behave. Yet applying them would also require a level of effort and financial resources out of reach of the smaller clubs that can't afford armies of security staff and banks of short-circuit cameras. These are the matters that the governing body must discuss in a push for blanket safety standards.

The battle against hooliganism needs input from all parties, with clubs, players and supporters all taking a share of the responsibility. Former Sweden international Henrik Larsson delivered a warning recently after a fan from his hometown was killed during a clash between rival supporters in March: "Whose responsibility is it? Is it the clubs'? Is it the supporters'? Or should society take it? It's time for someone to start waking up, because I don't want it in Swedish football or in any football."

Now it's Thailand's turn to ask the same questions. Unless we all take responsibility, violence in Thai football will be here to stay.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Football-hooliganism-must-not-take-root-30245988.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-22

[NongKhaiKid]

Don't you just love Thainess ?

Shouting ' provocative ' words like ' CHEAT ' are grounds to abandon a match ! The Thai FA boss must never have heard the chanting at some of the world's biggest derby matches. Does he honestly expect fans to sit / stand in total silence except for the occasional applause to show appreciation ?

What will he do about the ' cheerleaders ' in traditional costumes who attend internationals and try to get the crowd behind the Thai team or is that different ?

I'm surprised the article and the FA didn't take the chance to state that football violence etc has been imported to the west as such behaviour just isn't Thai.

PS - would love to hear someone shout ' CHEAT ' at a university graduation ceremony as about 99% of the graduates would run for cover.

[ramrod711]

Football hooliganism must not take root

Certainly not, hooliganism is reserved for trade school students.

[Crazy chef 1]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

[bertty]

Blaming the referee for a bad decision is not going to stop people fighting. The result of the game doesn't matter.

Back in the 70's-80's in England lots of fights were pre arranged between the two sets of supporters.

The only way to stop it, is to stop the thugs going to the games. This can be done by making them sign in at the police station at the same time a game is due to start. And also throwing anyone caught at a game with a knife or gun etc in jail. To give them time to think about what they are doing.

[bertty]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

[Crazy chef 1]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

do you feel embarrassed?

[siampolee]

We English made and perfected the game of Football and all its associated diversions too.

'Tis no wonder the world has followed our leadin Football and its associated activities.

What makes the discovery that Henry VIII had his own football boots even more intriguing is that the burly royal with the glamorous wives had himself once banned the game, on the grounds that it incited riots.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attempts_to_ban_football_games

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3496589.stm

Edited October 22, 2014 by siampolee

[alfieconn]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

Really ! what do you base that on ?

[Suradit69]

Football hooliganism must not take root

Certainly not, hooliganism is reserved for trade school students.

... it's really more a part of English culture, including healthy doses of racism.

...150 England fans were arrested for vandalism, fighting and theft in Luxembourg – of all places – after a riot that caused £100,000 worth of damage. Spurs were fined by Uefa after violence in Rotterdam left 30 fans in hospital with stab wounds and other injuries. Sports ministers from the Council of Europe convened to discuss how to stop what one called "soccer terrorism". And the British government offered bluster and fluster and back of the envelope solutions.

These were typical events in a typical month: hooliganism was as much a part of English football as Bovril and bovver boots. In Among the Thugs, perhaps the definitive text on English football violence in the 80s, the American writer Bill Buford charts scenes from his first match at White Hart Lane in 1983; including someone being urinated on, men wearing National Front badges and chants of " Out". Buford is horrified but adds, almost as a footnote, "For my friends it was an ordinary day out."

Edited October 22, 2014 by Suradit69

[bertty]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

do you feel embarrassed?

Why would I feel embarrassed ?

We had a problem and it got solved?

What is there to be embarrassed about.

Are you American ?

[bertty]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

Really ! what do you base that on ?

The fact it doesn't happen that much anymore.

Sorry was that really so hard to understand ?.

[ChrisY1]

So if anyone shouts Kee Chong....and the match is abandoned....I can see that wouldn't cause a riot.....!!!

[JeremyBowskill]

Guess shouting " the referee's a w anker " is OK then.......

Edited October 22, 2014 by JeremyBowskill

[american12bthai]

BAN FOOTBALL! its ruining the country's image and damaging tourism. problem solved.

[thaimeister]

Must be Man Utd sympathisers ! lol

[kkerry]

I don't know if anyone else thought the same thing as I did when they were showing scenes from after the match on Thai television the other day. For a moment there I thought they were showing old footage of protesters running riot on the streets of Bangkok..

Singhtarua, previously known as Thai Port, have had fan trouble before when playing Muangthong United. Seems like a fixture to avoid.

[alfieconn]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

Really ! what do you base that on ?

The fact it doesn't happen that much anymore.

Sorry was that really so hard to understand ?.

How do you know that it doesn't happen that much anymore ?

Edited October 22, 2014 by alfieconn

[kkerry]

Compared to even 30 years ago, football violence in the UK has been reduced greatly. Changes to stadiums and policing have seen to that.

[H1w4yR1da]

... it's really more a part of English culture, including healthy doses of racism.

That's hilarious! A Thai apologist pointing out racism in England.

...150 England fans were arrested for vandalism, fighting and theft in Luxembourg – of all places – after a riot that caused £100,000 worth of damage. Spurs were fined by Uefa after violence in Rotterdam left 30 fans in hospital with stab wounds and other injuries. Sports ministers from the Council of Europe convened to discuss how to stop what one called "soccer terrorism". And the British government offered bluster and fluster and back of the envelope solutions.

These were typical events in a typical month: hooliganism was as much a part of English football as Bovril and bovver boots. In Among the Thugs, perhaps the definitive text on English football violence in the 80s, the American writer Bill Buford charts scenes from his first match at White Hart Lane in 1983; including someone being urinated on, men wearing National Front badges and chants of " Out". Buford is horrified but adds, almost as a footnote, "For my friends it was an ordinary day out."

And when did all this happen exactly? Edited October 22, 2014 by H1w4yR1da

[kkerry]

Thirty years ago.

Some of those hooligans probably retired and living in Pattaya now...

[bertty]

I have eyes and ears. Quite simple really.

Who won the World cup ?

Edited October 22, 2014 by bertty

[TEFLKrabi]

If you follow this TPL you'll know it's always Muang Thong who are involved. They have their Ultras who love to cause trouble. If you want to avoid any game, avoid theirs.

[katana]

Some footage of the violence after Saturday's game where Muangthong United beat Singhtarua 3-1.

[MW72]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

It's never been eradicated. It just doesn't happen at the grounds any more. Gangs of "fans" still meet for a tear up.

The English quite rightly had a bad reputation for it and did a lot to make football grounds more family friendly by driving the hooligans out, but there are many countries where it is a problem and they don't seem to get the bad press the English get.

Sent from my KFTT using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bangkokhatter]

Watching the video they are just playing, back in the day............

[chooka]

Soccer matches in Australia cost the tax payer dearly as extra planning and resources have to be on standby for the violence that is part and part of soccer.

[ffaarraanngg]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

do you feel embarrassed?

Yes football stadiums these days are an embarrassment, there bordering on a police state with no atmosphere whatsoever..

Give me 1980s football with the odd little punch up any day of the week, it was never as bad as what people like you who have to read the news to get their information think it was.

[tomyummer]

Funny that Uncle Worrawi would come up with a rule against "kee kong" himself.

Edited October 23, 2014 by tomyummer

[bertty]

now all the English "experts" can give their two cents

Yes you will find its called experience. We had it 40 odd years ago. Now it is almost eradicated. Do you have a problem with that ?.

It's never been eradicated. It just doesn't happen at the grounds any more. Gangs of "fans" still meet for a tear up.

The English quite rightly had a bad reputation for it and did a lot to make football grounds more family friendly by driving the hooligans out, but there are many countries where it is a problem and they don't seem to get the bad press the English get.

Sent from my KFTT using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

It very rarely happened in the grounds anyway. It more often than not took place outside the grounds. The cops won most of the fights anyhow. And no not many fights these days. There are still a few group fights, but they are little to do with football.