[Fredstersafool]

wouldn't make a blond bit of difference where the game was played the same fans would be in a different stadium that's the only difference,behind closed doors would have been the only option and that was never going to happen

[0762]

A festival of football? Yep, you're right LS! I try to watch football tournaments fairly regularly that cover different age groups in Euro Championship and world football and there are no serious  problems with the footie fans although admittedly the tourneys are not so high profile. However, look across the 'pond' at the Copa America and it's as you describe and hope for.
Also after 36 arrests and 16 injuries (some serious), last night in Lille, Alan Shearer joining in the criticism and asking all England fans to enjoy the footie and move away from this poisonous situation. As said previously, and similarly alluded by Devongone, I think the 'seeds of mayhem have been sown' in Marseille and this unacceptable disruption in French towns and cities will continue until England's removal but I acknowledge they are not the only offender - they certainly appear to be the most significant offenders alongside lesser numbers of Russian gangs. Perhaps Wales will conveniently eliminate England today and do everyone a favour. I also notice the French authorities have deported the ultra RW head of the Russian supporters federation and apparently incensed Russian gov officials in Moscow. IMO this whole scene of negative activity appears to be so different from previous observations in years gone by although the 'England problem' is deja vu!! The current Lille disruption is an English one - English fans are the ones throwing bottles at the French Police!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36547249

[theo_luddite]

They decided what group games were going to be played where regardless of who was drawn into which pot. There's nowt wrong with taking a couple of days after the draw to take a deep breath and see if the fixtures and venues make sence. Holding Group B's first two and last two games in the South and the middle one's in the North makes little sense to me, other than a reason to shuffle numpty and sensible fans up and down the country at great expense.

[Imre varadi]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and has 20/20 vision but the article is right in so much as what could have been predicted.  I am not sure anyone predicted the type of thug to arrive from Russia but even so the reputation of Englands fans should have been warning enough.  There is no doubt England's fans past history puts a target on their backs for any other country's hooligans to take aim at, and that has been very evident this time, but the choice of Marseilles and Lens for these games is stupid, and IIRC this was mentioned in the media when the draw was made, but yet still no one listened.  Thats one of the problems with UEFA and in particular FIFA, its their stubborness to look at logical complaint and advice when they make a bad decision and make a change when everyone else can see it needs to be changed.

Eh ?

It's a drawn tournament SCO, if you are selected as team X in group Z you will play where those games have already been designated. End of.

What should UEFA do? Say, "OK, guys, you are meant to be playing in Marseille but seeing as your fans can't be trusted to behave we are looking for a volunteer to swap with you... Iceland, Austria, mind swapping Lyon for Marseille?" I don't think so.

These cities are major footballing venues in france,they were always going to be included.

read the quote below please if it isnt too much trouble ?

They decided what group games were going to be played where regardless of who was drawn into which pot. There's nowt wrong with taking a couple of days after the draw to take a deep breath and see if the fixtures and venues make sence. Holding Group B's first two and last two games in the South and the middle one's in the North makes little sense to me, other than a reason to shuffle numpty and sensible fans up and down the country at great expense.

Correct !

[hibeejim21]

Reports of violent clashes between wales and England fans on the Calais to lille train. Can only assume the England fans were being provoked by the trolley steward this time.

The venues were irrelevant. Make a draw and then change it a few days later to pander to a bunch of hooligans ?. Only for them to kick off wherever you put them. xxxx that. This tournament isn't just about England ffs.

[Lord Snooty]

I think the thinking is early kick off, less drinking. But that doesn't work in tournaments cos you don't go home at full time, the trouble just goes to a different place.
So yes, changing venues and timings wouldn't be worth doing.

[theo_luddite]

Reports of violent clashes between wales and England fans on the Calais to lille train. Can only assume the England fans were being provoked by the trolley steward this time.

The venues were irrelevant. Make a draw and then change it a few days later to pander to a bunch of hooligans ?. Only for them to kick off wherever you put them. **** that. This tournament isn't just about England ffs.

Where did I say it was just about England? Just because you only pick up on English press reports what makes you think we are the only ones with a few numpties?

---

And maybe explain it to you in a bit more obvious language. Imre got this but you didn't, England v Wales was played in the smallest stadium to be used in the competition, when it could easily have filled out a much bigger one. Meanwhile, Norn Iron are playing Ukraine in a much bigger stadium where many seats are empty. That's what I mean by does it make sense.

[WakeyTerrier]

No trouble what so ever today as far as I can see.
But no doubt our friends north of the border will find something to pipe up about

[0762]

Forget your 'friends north of the border' jibe mate! Your sports media people, incl those on the bbc news,  are doing a good job and 'calling it as it is' - the events, since Euro 2016 began, are real and the 'finger of blame' is indeed partially pointed at England and the criminal factions of English fans/hooligans who still attach themselves to England like glue!! IMO these problems will sadly persist and 'the mould of footie violence is set' - unwanted, unwelcome and an embarrassment  to the game itself!

[theo_luddite]

According to you it's only the English, because that's all you see. Nobody here is condoning it, but it isn't only the English, if you read anything other than the English (or the copy and pasted Scottish) press and visit a few other European countries and read their press and watch their TV.

The English press and TV have little reason to follow the other countries numpties around until we play them. Have you got it yet? Probably not. Scottish footie fans, wreckers of Wembley, years passim, and more recently Hampden are just wee angels ain't they hen. I seem to recall an issue with a Celtic v Rangers wee uns game played at somewhere possibly not too far from the Paisley area hit the headlines in the Glasgae press for all the wrang reasons not too long ago. So a little bit less of the holier than thou attitude would be appreciated. Wasn't reported down here so yee's may have missed it.