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L’ infortunio di Luka Modric genera polemiche sull’asse Londra-Zagabria. Fonti croate accusano le società inglesi ed i loro metodi di allenamento di essere responsabili di una serie di problemi fisici accaduti a giocatori del paese dell’ ex Jugoslavia. L’ Inghilterra, comunque, è ormai vicinissima alla qualificazione per i mondiali di Sud Africa 2010 e potrebbe festeggiare anticipatamente il traguardo già il prossimo turno di gare. L’asserito ritorno della violenza negli stadi inglesi continua a fare discutere anche in Scozia. Secondo un ex football casuals le “firms” oggi starebbero tornando alla ribalta e , seppure, disponendo di numeri minori rispetto agli anni Ottanta, avrebbero un maggiore tasso di aggressività.
Return of the casual
( “The Sun” )
Warning … it’s claimed that football violence is once more on the rise
A FORMER soccer thug last night warned the country is in the grip of a new breed of ultra-violent casuals – as we reveal courts aren’t using new powers to ban the yobs.
John O’Kane, 40, ex-leader of the infamous Celtic Soccer Crew (CSC), says organised “firms” are using levels of violence not seen north of the border for years.His claim comes just days after sickening scenes of hooliganism between West Ham and Millwall.Official figures also show Scottish courts have granted only 59 Football Banning Orders – preventing thugs from entering grounds – despite cops applying for a whopping 515 since the legislation was introduced in 2006.O’Kane, who has 33 football-related convictions, said: “We are definitely seeing an increase in violence.”The dad-of-two, who claims to have now turned his back on violence, had his EAR sliced off and was stabbed in the leg during his years as a casual.
Crew cut … ex-Celtic casual O’Kane
A host of recent incidents have sparked fears of a return to the peak of football hooliganism in the 1980s.
Last month a group allegedly connected with O’Kane’s old CSC group were caught up in running battles with members of an Orange walk.Six people were arrested during the hour-long mayhem in Glasgow city centre. Five more were nabbed later.In May, it was claimed Partick Thistle and Airdrie casuals were responsible for a battle in the city’s west end.And well-known hooligans were said to have taken part in the riots involving Rangers fans at the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester in May 2008.Last night O’Kane, from Glasgow, said: “In the old days the ‘firms’ of casuals had maybe 10 out of 200 people they could rely on.
“Now the crews are smaller – but tougher. There may be only around 30 or so in a firm but every one of them will be handy and pretty committed.”We are seeing guys in their late teens or early twenties who are not scared to get involved. There are no hangers-on or ‘pavement dancers’.”O’Kane claims youngsters are drawn to organised groups because they’ve been glamourised in blockbuster films such as The Football Factory.A remake of the 1980s’ flick The Firm will be released next month.Explaining the attraction of the yob gangs, O’Kane said: “There’s a camaraderie among crews – the lads feel as if they’re part of something. There’s also the adrenaline rush, too.”I think people are attracted by the films as well as celebrity programmes like the Danny Dyer shows.”Guys in a crew also get to travel throughout Britain and see different parts of the country.”O’Kane insists he’s turned his back on football violence despite being BANNED from every ground in the UK.He’s fighting the police order which also prevents him being near areas surrounding stadiums where Celtic play, before and after the games.
He said: “I put all that stuff behind me a while ago, so all that the football banning order does is make it difficult to see my kids.”I’ve lost jobs and relationships over being involved in soccer trouble.”One ex-girlfriend said to me, ‘You love Celtic more than me. I told her, ‘Hen, I love Rangers more than you!”Last night the Scottish Government called on sheriffs to take a tougher approach to soccer thugs.A spokesman said: “Football Banning Orders send out an important message that violent behaviour and abusive language will not be tolerated in Scotland’s football grounds.”However, we are concerned at the slow rate of implementation.”We’ll continue to do what we can but our efforts can only go so far.”We are now working to raise awareness among sheriffs of FBOs.”The Scottish Court Service said it could not comment.
We’ve been nobbled
( The Sun” )
TOUGH LUK … Croatia star Luka Modric gets crocked for Spurs
CROATIA have accused England of a conspiracy to deliberately nobble their star players.
And as the tension mounts ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifier, England have vowed to avenge the kicking they endured when the two countries clashed in Zagreb a year ago.Croat FA president Vlatko Markovic set the tone by claiming his Premier League-based players have been targeted.Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric is out for six weeks after fracturing his right leg on Saturday, while Arsenal striker Eduardo suffered an horrific broken leg 18 months ago.Group Six leaders England will qualify for next summer’s World Cup finals if they win at Wembley next week.Ironically, it was Croatia who stopped Steve McClaren’s England qualifying for the 2008 European Championships.Fabio Capello’s men avenged that defeat last September with a stunning 4-1 triumph in Zagreb.But Croatia’s brutal tactics that night have not been forgotten.