Football violence kicking off again

The scenes inside and outside Upton Park on Tuesday night were disgusting and disappointing - but I must admit that I wasn't totally surprised.

Unrest, unsociable behaviour and outright violence has been continuially bubbling along 'under the surface' (and away from the radar of the media) between football fans up and down the country since the bad old days of persistant hooliganism of the 70s and 80s. I've seen it first-hand and even got a rogue punch out of the blue by a Manchester City fan in the mid-90s.

Experts agree, saying that the police constantly try to stop violence away from football grounds - at places like railway stations and pubs - and that there are high-risk games, such as the West Ham-Millwall one, which require careful planning (changes to kick-off times and limiting attendance). Sadly that didn't happen this week, making it a disaster waiting to happen.

How should West Ham be punished? Well, I'm not sure they should be - it's not really the fault of the club that a bunch of mindless idiots decided to act as they did. Bans for supporters identified by the many cameras must happen - and will I'm sure.

I very much hope that this violence will ultimately lead to a positive outcome: that each club will act in reviewing how they deal with trouble and their relations with the police. If only football could follow in the footsteps of sports like rugby union where supporters stand side-by-side at matches - finishing the game with a firm handshake rather than a punch to the head.

(Photo credt: Toastbrot81)