[Talula]

Originally Posted by Chris 84

how thoroughly sweeping and offensive those comments are. every weekend all across the globe, millions of people go to football matches. if you expect that you won't get a few troublemakers, a few racists, a few morons out of millions, then frankly, you're nuts.

these people should be punished, the authorities should do more, but football is supported by people across every part of society. these people aren't just racist at football, they're racist full stop. only a total clown would fail to see that racism isn't a footballing problem, it is society's problem. it isn't like sexism, racism and practically every other ism don't exist amongst tennis fans, rugby fans or whatever, just that football is faaar more popular so there are more people involved.

I understand what you're saying, but my own experience is that out of all sporting events I have attended, soccer has the most threatening and violent feeling atmosphere and crowds. I love going to the rugby and tennis. Cricket bores me but I've been. And at the Olympics it was wonderful. But I got so scared of going to football matches that I refuse to go with my BF and worry when he goes. It's the overwhelming threatening atmosphere and all the huge groups of males, many of whom swagger around chanting and who behave as if they were drunk! I'm not saying they're racist or any more racist than anyone else but it's not a pleasant experience for me!