Click to use the eyefootball Desktop site.
It seems hooliganism is threatening British football, and it's the 1980s all over again.
The 3 flashpoints that happened in the span of 3 days may not be as dreadful as the Heysel disaster that marred football history, but they could be a look of what's to come.
Following the 3 incidents that involved players and fans, football authorities in Britain are facing questions surrounding the safety of the players and what they're doing to deal with hooliganism.
What happened over the weekend on the football field?
In Scotland last Friday, a fan confronted James Tavernier of the Rangers during a match against Hibernian.
On Sunday, a spectator attacked Jack Grealish of the Aston Villa during a match in second tier in English football, swinging a punch at him. He managed to run onto the pitch without a hitch
On the same day, a similar incident happened during the Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal. The supporter managed to evade the stewards and even shoved Chris Smalling, United's defender, in celebration of Arsenal's win 2-0.
The spectators involved have been arrested, with one sentenced to prison.
Paul Mitchell, Grealish's attacker, has been sentenced to a 14-week imprisonment and a 10-year ban from football matches.
Last Monday, he pleaded guilty at the Birmingham Magistrates Court to charges of pitch invasion and common assault.
Alan Shearer, former Newcastle United and England international, said that strong sanctions should be imposed by Birmingham. He also commented about the watershed moment that the organizations regulating English football are facing.
"Someone is going to get hurt, either a player or an official, if they do not stamp this out now. They have to come down heavy," he said.
On the other hand, the Arsenal fan who run onto the pitch of the Emirates Stadium was charged by the Metropolitan Police of entering the field of play and common assault.
Is history repeating itself?
Hooliganism is nothing new in British football, and fans of England's national team are notorious for causing clashes with opposing supporters before a match.
In 2016, five English football fans were sentenced to prison by a French court due the violence they caused during the Euro 2016 tournament between England and Russia.
But that's not the worst. In 1985, 39 Italian club Juventus' supporters were crushed to death when a wall in Section Z of the stadium where the European Cup final was held. To avoid further enraging fans, the match was continued while the crushed victims breathed their last.
As a consequence, the English clubs were not allowed to play in European club competitions following the tragedy.
Phil Neville, England women's manager, expressed his fear to BBC Sport that the 1993 stabbing incident involving tennis player Monica Seles can happen to football players too.
"We need to start protecting players properly. All it takes is for one of these people who get on the pitch to have a knife or other weapon and it will be a footballer who is badly hurt."
What is the best way to protect players?
There is no definitive answer.
However, former Birmingham player David Cotterill said that armed police could be the way forward. He's not a fan of guns but he thinks it could be the answer.
Ashley Young, captain of Manchester United, told Sky Sports that extra stewarding could help.
But the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) calls for appropriate and stronger punishments.
The clubs involved in the 3 incidents have already issued apologies to the players affected and promised to ensure similar attacks don't happen in the future.
The English Premier League (EPL) promised to ensure the safety of players and match officials on the pitch.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), on the other hand, are reviewing Friday's event and the various aspects that led to it. They will then take the appropriate steps.
English football's governing body, Football Association (FA), condemned the incidents and said that they will be working "working with the clubs, the leagues and the police to discuss what collectively needs to be done to protect players and officials on the pitch."
The game must go on…
It will be a sad day for everyone if another tragedy will happen during football matches.
Fans should be aware that their negative actions can impact not only the team they dislike but also the team they’re rooting for. They should respect the game, and everyone involved.
Otherwise, any hope of winning the bets they made will be obliterated. Because no matter how great the odds are on their favor, based on a football prediction, it will be a draw if the game is stopped due to a tragic incident. And the loss could double or triple.
Written by Ketan Patel
Copyright 2007 - 2025 Eyefootball Ltd. All rights reserved. The news and views discussed here are those of the participating users.
ADVERTISE ON OUR SITE - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - Contact Us - Use Desktop Site