In a weekend that included a dramatic conclusion to the US Masters, one of the most open FA cup semi finals ever witnessed and some exciting IPL cricket I end up talking about football hooliganism today. The scenes witnessed at Wembley and St James Park over the course of the weekend were un-expectable and ones that take us back to the 1980's. Britain has done such a good job in dealing with football hooliganism over recent years that it has not been an issue.
However a group of Millwall fans and I have to say a very small group who I'm lead to believe from reports are not even football fans and have attended the FA Cup semi final just to cause trouble have clouded this weekend. Along with another small group of Newcastle fans causing trouble outside the stadium following the Tyne side derby on Sunday. On Saturday there where 14 arrests made and 29 Sunday along with images of people beaten up and showing total disrespect for authority. Yet the most shocking image to me was the sight of a small girl crying and scared. Football is meant to be place where families can go, a place that inspires younger people to participate or be part of the sport. I wonder if I was to ask that young girl now if she found football an attractive prospect or even inspirational.
For me a regular spectator at Oxford United I see a couple of problems. The first is the total allowance for anti-social behaviour driven by alcohol. The vast majority of people can handle their alcohol and enjoy the football. However for some they can not and therefore it should be banned. Police watch supporters drink in pubs and then even escort them to grounds. This maybe an over the top reaction but I would totally ban alcohol within grounds and then anyone who you believe has been drinking is not allowed in to the stadium. The reason for such a harsh reaction is because of the scenes we saw this weekend, the negative headlines in papers and we can not put of young people from any sporting activity.
The other change I would make is the training and professionalism of the Stewards. Many Stewards can be seen just watching the events play out on Saturday and not do anything about it. I know not all Stewards are trained in how to deal with situations like this and have no experience of how to manage crowds of people. I think clubs should have all Stewards within their grounds trained in how to deal with situations like this and all Stewards in grounds be at this level. This would hopefully prevent situations escalating to the scenes we witnessed this weekend.
Clubs and local authorities do a fantastic job at identifying these individuals and then placing football ground bans on them. I hope this continues and they can identify the individuals involved this weekend but I would also ask they face a harsh enforcement of the law. This will help us stamp out scenes we do not want to see again.
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