Soccer Fans Attemt to Burn American Flag

Associated Press via ESPN ^ | September 22, 2001 | AP

[oldvike]

Club coach disgusted by display

[Associated Press]

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Fans of the Greek soccer club AEK Athens tried to burn the American flag before the team's match against Scotland club Hibernian, and booed during a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States.

"What went on in Athens disgusted me," Hibernian coach Alex McLeish said Saturday. "With what happened last week, innocent people of all nationalities in America, anyone would show respect."

There was a minute's silence at all 77 European games played during the week. But McLeish said that as the players stood in silence to pay their respects in the Athens stadium before Thursday's UEFA Cup game, many AEK fans jeered through the silence and tried to burn the American flag.

"What badly disappointed me was that there was no effort made by anyone, the police included, to do anything about it," McLeish said. "When I first heard all the shouting and jeering, I thought it was their way of doing the minute's silence. Then I was told by someone who said, `Look, they're burning the American flag.'

"I could not believe such anti-American feeling in a European country."

Several hundred fans booed and jeered, and a group set fire to an Israeli flag, while others tried to burn an American flag but couldn't get it to light.

[SoCalConservative]

They couldn't get our flag to light? Hmmm....how symbolic!

[Vigilanteman]

You are right. The vast majority of Greek-Americans are true Americans who prefer to drop the hyphenated bulls***. For every wimp like a Michael Dukakis, there is at least a couple of real men like Spiro T. Agnew of Greek background.

Unfortunately, the home country has its share of Commie lovers who are mad that we didn't let Russia take them over. Kinda like our loony left-wingers in places like Berkeley and Eugene, Oregon.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I really think holding the 2004 Olympics in that nest of terrorism is a hideous risk. If the IOC won't make any changes of venue, a US boycott might be in order.

[Thoreau]

I wasn't referring to his post specifically...only the general tone of this thread...I can't believe I'm hearing people advocating attacking Greece because of a couple of idiots who can't even protest properly. The fact that the crowd was booing and jeering should give a positive feeling toward Greeks.

[ValerieUSA]

"Why not?" is not a valid answer to the question, "Why?" Niether is, "Others do it."

A moment of silence is MEANINGLESS.

[ScreamingFist]

From Thursdays polls overseas;

"Clear majorities of between 70 and 80 percent supported limiting any strike to military rather than civilian targets, the survey found. Asked if their own country should support a U.S. military asssault, people in NATO countries other than Greece tended to agree."

"Four out of five Danes backed the idea, followed by 79 percent in Britain and 73 percent in France. Greeks were the least enthusiastic with only 29 percent, below 53 percent in Germany and 58 percent in Norway and Spain." Here you go pericles, come tell us again about those wonderful greeks. And don't forget to bash the Turks.

[ValerieUSA]

Neither is another word that isn't difficult to spell... duh, Valerie.

[MinuteGal]

Hey! I think it would be a great idea to manufacture all American flags in flame proof material!

Leni

[Capitalist Eric]

Hell, they were overrun by tribal bushmen, in the late 30's. Greece has a nasty habit of being conquered... By everybody.

Let them have their protest. "Either you're with us... Or you're with the terrorists."

Let them live with their lack of foresight.

[The Iceman Cometh]

Soccer

One step above the game of tag.

No wonder these simpltons couldn't light the flag.

[TKEman]

They are lucky a substantial amount of Americans weren't present.

[FreeReign]

I don't know the point of forcing spectators in foreign countries to observe a moment of silence for the victims in the U.S. A moment of silence is meaningless.

...meaningless to you.

[Salvation]

Several hundred fans booed and jeered, and a group set fire to an Israeli flag, while others tried to burn an American flag but couldn't get it to light.

Amazing story. Providential?

[vasilescuo]

AEK fans are among greek fans like Nazis, so you should not generalize from this stupid thing. I've been in Greece, they're OK

[rightisright]

Unfortunately, I would have to disagree with you. The majority of Greeks feel this way, not just a bunch of leftists. My father just returned from Greece this week and he told me first hand of the people telling him the US deserved this attack because we shouldn't be butting in where we're not wanted

My personal feelings...stop all aid to Greece and let the Turks have at'em. Either you stand with us, or you stand with the terrorists.

[Critter]

The Greeks had a major problem with Bill Klinton's work in Kosovo, if you think back. Remember how they protested his visit? I believe the anti-American sentiment is left over from then.

What a legacy! The pres that made the most enemies for America.