© EuroFootball.com
Football hooligans in Europe feel untouchable. Fascism, racism, and violence - these words have become very popular recently when talking about Western European football fans.
Riots in Rome
Exactly a week ago, blood was shed in the Eternal City - Rome, the capital of Italy. English blood. British fans who came to Italy to support the "Middlesbrough" team during the UEFA Cup match against "Roma" were attacked by local football hooligans.
Although the world is almost scared of English football hooligans before every major football tournament, this time representatives of this country became victims. The English calmly spent time in a bar with the eloquent name "Drunken Ship" and next to it, aggressive and armed gangs of Rome's "ultras" appeared.
Later, the English claimed that the attackers were well-prepared: their faces were covered with masks, the Italians were armed with sticks, knives, explosives, and some even axes. The gang consisted of about 30 attackers, and their leader gave precise and clear instructions.
Of course, beer mugs in the hands of the English were no match for the Italians' axes. Three Britons ended up in the hospital, with first aid provided to a dozen more. The most seriously injured was a 39-year-old fan who had come to Rome with his 11-year-old son. Due to stab wounds in his back, this enthusiast had to spend the night in the hospital. The Rome police managed to detain five of the rioters.
Stadium - a salute to fascists
Rome is the cradle of Italian football hooliganism. It is the fans of the capital's clubs "Roma" and "Lazio" who are infamous for their exceptional aggressiveness. A couple of years ago, the "ultras" of these teams even managed to interrupt the teams' matches against each other.
One of Italy's brightest football stars, "Roma" captain Francesco Totti, stood like a child in front of his fans' stand a couple of years ago and begged them not to misbehave.
However, not all footballers are inclined to calm down radical fans. "Lazio" captain Paolo Di Canio has even deliberately fueled dangerous passions several times. During last year's derby against "Roma," after scoring a goal, he marked it with a fascist Roman salute - arm outstretched above the head.
Perhaps the gesture should not have surprised those who were at least superficially familiar with the footballer's biography. As a teenager, P. Di Canio spent time with fascist "Lazio" fans, and as an adult, he wrote a biography in which he confessed to admiring the courage and patriotism of Benito Mussolini, the political leader of fascist Italy in the last century.
The worst part is that by saluting the fans with a fascist-Roman gesture, the "Lazio" captain not only became a person with his own opinions and political views but also a role model for young thugs. They were reminded that their favorite club's idol, B. Mussolini, was also a fan of their club.
After the first incident, P. Di Canio did not suffer much. He was criticized by most newspapers, more moderate representatives of political forces in Italy, and the country's Jewish community.
The footballer also received a short-term disqualification. However, the attacker repeated his greeting twice more. Even a fine of 10,000 euros for each new raised hand did not stop him from such behavior.
The "Lazio" club's "ultras" try not to fall behind their team captain and sometimes even surpass him. "I am a fascist, but not a racist," P. Di Canio once tried to justify himself. The most aggressive "Lazio" fans would probably not say the same. Just like the thugs who support the Milano "Inter" club.
Last November, fans of these teams in Sicily forced the black "Messina" club defender Marco Zoro to lose his cool with their never-ending monkey-like sounds. The footballer kicked the ball off the field and left the pitch.
"When this happens away, I can understand. But I don't want to be humiliated at my team's stadium," said the black "Inter" striker from Brazil, Adriano, after persuading Zoro to continue the match, which was ultimately interrupted.
Demands for strict punishments
Monkey chants are not only heard in Italian stadiums. Black England national team players Emile Heskey, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, and others were insulted as soon as they touched the ball in Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, and other countries.
For two years in a row, the Spanish league fined Zaragoza's "Real" club for racist attacks by fans against Barcelona forward from Cameroon Samuel Eto'o. A couple of weeks ago, this player was also ready to leave the field in Zaragoza due to insults.
"I would have left with him," admitted the best footballer of last year and Barcelona leader, Brazilian Ronaldinho. "But I myself persuaded Samuel not to do it. I told him: be stronger than them."
"I understand S. Eto'o. The problem is that these scoundrels feel untouchable. Imagine if the Barcelona forward had responded to the audience with an indecent gesture. He would have lost at least a couple of weeks' earnings. But racists can mock footballers and remain unpunished. UEFA should stop pretending to fight racism and actually start doing it," said England national team and Manchester United defender R. Ferdinand last week.
UEFA's decision to punish the Spanish Football Federation with a 67,000 euro fine for racist attacks by fans against black England national team players during last year's friendly matches seemed comical to R. Ferdinand.
Zaragoza's club was fined even more ridiculous sums for insulting S. Eto'o. Last year the fine was only 600 euros - according to the championship regulations, it could not exceed this amount. This year the league imposed a stricter punishment on "Real" club. Zaragoza's team's purse was reduced by 9,000 euros.
However, in this case, there is probably no big difference between a thousand and a million. The fines are still paid by the clubs, not the football hooligans.
Europe should learn from England. A couple of decades ago, racists on British stadiums mocked even their own stars - such as John Barnes. Then clubs began to spread public appeals to the fans.
"If you notice a person in the stands chanting racist slogans, inform the nearest police officer or stadium staff. This fan will be punished. Perhaps he will even be banned from the stadium for life," read one statement. The weapon was found to be effective - now English fans are among the most tolerant in the world.
