Why do so many sports fans behave like complete idiots?

[jeremyp]

Man U and Spurs.

I wouldn't call the behaviour of many of today's fans normal, I think it is pathetic, and could be dangerous too. Back in the day, like in 1966 for instance, when England managed to win, the fans were thrilled, but didn't carry on in the way they do today.

No. In 1966, they famously invaded the pitch before the final whistle was blown.

[ProfessorDavey]

Man U and Spurs.

I wouldn't call the behaviour of many of today's fans normal, I think it is pathetic, and could be dangerous too. Back in the day, like in 1966 for instance, when England managed to win, the fans were thrilled, but didn't carry on in the way they do today.

JP has already mentioned that fans invaded the pitch in 1966 before the match had ended.

But I think you are all rose(s) tinted spectacles (apologies for the pun). Back in the day fans were as vociferous in cheering on their teams - indeed a common view is that there isn't the atmosphere today that used to exist. But grounds and fan behaviours (often due to poor stadium design) was way more dangerous decades ago than it is today. I remember feeling horribly crushed in surging crowds back in the 80s at Highbury and Stamford Bridge - genuinely quite scary and this was before Hillsborough. And as NS is rather obsessed with urination - it was quite common for people in a crowd to simply urinate during the match on the terracing simply because it was impossible to get out of the crowd once you were in it. That wasn't some kind of 'idiot' behaviour (in both my examples) but necessity due to the fact that grounds weren't designed properly.

So my impression is that watching sporting events - e.g. I've been to the Emirates and Craven Cottage in the last few months is super sedate in comparison with my memories from the 80s when I was in my 20s.

[ProfessorDavey]

Man U and Spurs.

So what did he do when they played each other.

Bit strange to support two top teams - I know plenty of people (including myself) who have a top level team they support (in my case Liverpool as I was born and spent my early years on Merseyside), but also a rather lower ranked side (in my case Watford as they have been my local club for most of my life).

I think it is also common to have 'anyone but ...' reverse affiliations - so in my case I will likely support any team who happen to be playing Man U, Chelsea or Everton. Tough call when one plays the other as you want both teams to lose!

[ProfessorDavey]

I couldn't be in a situation where people were shouting and screaming but don't have any problem with people doing that generally - just not round me. I used to go to sporting events and watch games in pubs etc before my problems started. Sport means a lot to a lot of people and they want to express their pleasure or displeasure and why not int the right places and situations.

Which seems a very mature and responsible attitude. I get completely that there are certain situations that people will want to avoid because they would find them very difficult. Crowded places, incredibly noisy places being two examples. So the sensible thing to do is to just avoid those situations where you can - and no-one is going to force you into a crowded, noisy football ground if you don't want to be there.

But to suggest those people are (to quote Roses) acting like idiots, are pathetic, aren't acting normally seems deeply intolerant and actually pretty offensive to me. How those people act in a football stadium has no impact on Roses given that no-one is going to force her to attend a football match. If she doesn't like seeing it on the tv, well other channels are available etc etc. And given that she claims to have no interest in any sport I'm struggling to understand why she seems so concerned about how sports fans behave, nor for that matter why anyone should take a blind bit of notice of her views on a matter that she claims to have no interest in.