France’s twisted attitude to fans led to Champions League chaos
Liverpool supporters have been on the receiving finish of the contemptuous and antiquated views of native authorities
The Champions League last fiasco was a fancy, multilayered organisational failure. However the events that unfolded within the hours earlier than the sport and late into final Saturday evening within the environment of the Stade de France originate within the twisted relationship that France as a rustic has with soccer followers – considered one of contempt, fascination, and, finally, concern.
French fan tradition is comparatively new in contrast with these of different European soccer nations. Born within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, the scene was largely influenced by Italy and England, earlier than supporters’ teams constructed their very own identification within the Nineties. The primary particular football-related safety laws goes again to 1993 and set the tone that quickly grew to become a regular for all fan-related public insurance policies: supporters are a nuisance and must be handled as such.
