Posted on 07/20/2008 8:56:54 PM PDT by buccaneer81
West Ham, Crew fans brawl in stands Sunday, July 20, 2008 11:17 PM By Shawn Mitchell THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH From the southeastern corner of Crew Stadium came the West Ham United chants: “East! East! East Lon-don!”
From the northeastern came the answer: “Co-lum-bus! Co-lum-bus!”
Today’s war of words turned physical at halftime of the Crew’s exhibition match against West Ham, when a handful of West Ham fans ventured into the heart of the Crew’s supporters section.
A scuffle broke out and stadium security quickly pulled the West Ham interlopers to the stadium concourse. The next few minutes were frantic.
While the West Ham fans were removed to a stair landing on the back side of the stadium, supporters of both teams gathered on the concourse. Several punches were thrown and one West Ham fan was thrown to the ground by security and handcuffed by police, who used pepper spray or mace to help break up the melee.
Police couldn’t confirm the number of arrests and Crew vice president of operations Scott DeBolt said he would have no details “until I get a report, which might not be till (Monday).”
More fans were seen handcuffed in the parking lots after the game.
Shortly after halftime, West Ham fans unfurled a banner in the stadium’s south end that read “ ICF, 30 Years Undefeated.”
The Inter City Firm, or ICF, is one of the most notorious hooligan groups in England.
Peter Witham, a fan of the English team Arsenal, said he was on his way to the restroom when he got hit with chemical irritant used by police.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life and I’ve been going to English Premier League games for forever,” he said.
One of the fans who entered the Crew’s supporters section was not ejected despite being detained by security for several minutes.
“We just went over for some tea and crumpets and (the Crew fans) got mad,” said the man, who identified himself as Dave Simpson from London.
smitchell@dispatch.com
Do people lose brain cells when they watch soccer or something?
I didn’t want this sport here and now we hear about that ‘tard Beckham all the freaking time!
He was (is) such a has-been in Europe that they were fine with him coming to MLS (which is considered AA by European standards.)
The equivalent is us sending Wade Boggs over to play European baseball.
Soccer is the best, I love it. You couldn’t pay me to watch baseball.
Everyone has their own opinion.
Soccer fans in America brawling?
What’d they hit each other with - hand bags and parasols?
Hooligans! Looks like those 30 Ham fans got a little taste of American thuggery. But I doubt those white boys from London will survive doing that in Los Angeles.
BTW, I do however second your preference for Hockey over Soccer.
The fans in Europe don’t play. Our rivalries are nowhere near as bitter as theirs. Stadium concourses don’t even connect over there so the two camps can’t get at each other and you won’t even be allowed into a section if you are wearing the wrong color. I read an article a year or two ago about a deadly riot in Greece. It was over a womens volleyball game.
I can’t blame them for fighting...
Soccer is sooo boring that you have to do something to pass the time..../s
LOL! We are an exotic breed, that's for sure (although I'm not a native...only been here 17 years. My wife and son on the other hand...;-)
“Soccer is the best, I love it. You couldn’t pay me to watch baseball”
I agree about baseball. It bores me to death. You see very little game action and its requires less athleticism than anyother major sport outside of golf. It also has little room for creativity. You run in straight lines. You throw in straight lines, etc. It seems like every highlight comes from one of four or five molds. One thing I love about sports are the spontaneous creative moments where someone does something you’ve never seen. You don’t get much of that in baseball. Not like a counterattack in soccer or a fastbreak in basketball
I can’t understand why anti-soccer folks are so intimidated by another sport. Its a big country, see what you want, but the bravado against soccer is just childish.
I am a long time (since day one) Galaxy fan. We aren’t so good, but I like Donovan and Buddle.
We hockey fans put up with the same thing.
I hear ya. I like hockey live, but not on TV. I’m glad they are going to do more outdoor games.
MLS is doing well, LA vs NY had 45,000 attendance yesterday. Toronto sells out most games. Seattle & Philly are getting teams in next two seasons. Both LA teams get over 30,000 most games. And, HDNET shows a weekly game, which looks great.
Yep, I can remember all those brawls reported on the news after a football, baseball, basketball, golf and tennis event. Yes, give us soccer …
One match. MLS has played over a decade here without a brawl.
I’ve seen plenty of fights at College & NFL games I’ve been to.
If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.
Fights and skirmishes are different from brawls … many soccer brawls have cost lives, not many lives have been lost at football, basketball outings in the US. Hooligans abound in the stands of world soccer games just looking for a reason to engage in fisticuffs.
The only reason these brawls haven’t become common in the US, we don’t like soccer, we believe in sportsmanship and for the most part … we are still somewhat civilized.
You like soccer, fine … most Americans don’t, otherwise it would be a popular sport … golf is more popular. The only reason soccer is even played in the US; it is cheaper (equipment wise) than many sports.
Wrong, wrong, and wrong.
powder puffs and luffas.
I can say right, right, right … but can you justify your wrong, wrong, wrong? I need more than your proclamation of “wrong” to change my mind.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.