To think that it is NOT acceptable for people to call other scum just because they support another football team.

[Ilovemyself]

It pisses me off big time. It is allegedly acceptable to do this because it is only football.

I know people that would not normally call anyone scum, but when it comes to match time it is all over their facebook status.

I also think people should realise its just a bloody game - not a matter of life and death.

Rant over.

[Morgause]

YANBU

It's a game, people need to get a grip.

[PersonalClown]

Let me guess...The North London Derby.

Football is more than life and death, it is a way of life but every team needs fans or there would be no league to play!!

[cushtie335]

I hate football and all the stupid behaviour it encompasses.

[natwebb79]

Depends if it's said in football canter jest. My pal supports a different team and refers to my team as the scummers. It's just a joke. If it's said with malice then that's another matter.

[CockyFox]

It's only acceptable if the above mentioned scum are Villa fans.

Seriously though, although it can get a bit scary with a minority of fans, for most it is light hearted banter.

[Ilovemyself]

Nope not the north London Derby. It's every fucking weekend. Some family refer to pretty much any other team as scum, and the things they wish would happen to them is revolting.

Even if it is "in jest" it is pretty poor taste.

[SilverApples]

I hate the gang aggression between football supporters, and the situation has improved enormously since I was a teenager in the 70s. The sheer violence of language and acts.
The cost in policing and A&E over the years, and the climate of fear in the general public. Hate it.
I'd have all games at a league level with no crowd and televised only.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Its the same in Rugby league with a few extra choice words included.
It makes me laugh how passionate the fans are, especially my dh and dc.
Everybody who doesn't support their team are scum.
I don't think it's unreasonable at all, funny, yes.

[mrspremise]

Agree with you completely, OP, I work in a school and to hear this kind of talk from children as young as six makes you wonder what the point is sometimes if this is the sort of messages they are getting about reasonable behaviour outside the classroom

[PiggyPlumPie]

My 70yo DM got quite badly verbally abused by a rival fan just last week. She was waiting for my DSis at the train station when this thug turned on her.

As he walked away he was stopped by the police and as he still thought he'd done no wrong he was arrested and charged.

In this case I think it is acceptable to call this person scum - I mean who abuses a 70 yo woman just because they are not wearing the same shirt as you?

[SilverApples]

We've had some parents banned from Saturday football for juniors, they are given the choice of dropping off their children and leaving. Because they are incapable of supporting their children appropriately without yelling and aggressive language.
Zero tolerance by the coaches makes for a better atmosphere.

[ILetHimKeep20Quid]

Yanbu

I travelled down to London for the England Scotland game with my nephew who is 14

Our seat in the Scotland support was right next to the home fans. One particular charmer spent the whole second half making cut throat gestures to my own nephew.

[cantdoalgebra]

Abusers and bullys often try to excuse their behaviour by saying that they were "only joking".

[Teeb]

I'm sure there was a relevant statistic that said domestic violence rates sky rocket during the six nations rugby tournament. Just to put a spin on the 'rugby fans are such great people, not like those awful football fans' myth.

[PersonalClown]

I just don't get the mentality.
I've been a Spurs fan for 25+ years. I love the banter but I would never abuse someone because they support another team. It would be so boring if we all liked the same things.

I've walked out of the Tottenham supporters pub after a couple of oafs started ridiculing a couple of young German fans who had come to see their team play away.
As I walked out, an oaf grabbed me by the arm and said 'It's alright Darling, you don't have to leave. You're one of us'

I replied 'And I don't want to be associated with a Knuckle dragger like you. You shame MY club.'

I took the Germans to the pub over the road where all teams gather and we had a laugh and a few pints before the match.

[BadLad]

I don't think you get this in ... cricket.

Well then you need to read more about India and Pakistan matches.

Here is a report about a particularly nasty incident at a cricket match - a bit dated, but about the worst I can think of.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1424010.stm

[SilverApples]

Lords is in London, Kim.

[BadLad]

Well, the match I linked to took place at Lords'.

But anyway, there are far fewer competitive cricket matches in the UK, far fewer fans, especially at the county level, and it is a much smaller industry that football. So cricket is going to attract fewer yobs.

Compare that to countries like India and Pakistan, where cricket it extremely popular and success brings national pride more than any other sport, then they will take it more seriously and behave worse when they lose.

Some of the Barmy Army's (England Cricket team travelling supporters) chants at Australians are also either unacceptable or just banter, depending on your perspective. See the "If your grandad was deported, clap your hands", and, to the tune of Yellow Submarine "You all live in a penal colony".

[BadLad]

Well, the match I linked to took place at Lords'.

But anyway, there are far fewer competitive cricket matches in the UK, far fewer fans, especially at the county level, and it is a much smaller industry that football. So cricket is going to attract fewer yobs.

Compare that to countries like India and Pakistan, where cricket it extremely popular and success brings national pride more than any other sport, then they will take it more seriously and behave worse when they lose.

Some of the Barmy Army's (England Cricket team travelling supporters) chants at Australians are also either unacceptable or just banter, depending on your perspective. See the "If your grandad was deported, clap your hands", and, to the tune of Yellow Submarine "You all live in a penal colony".

[SilverApples]

'I work with children of Pakistani heritage and you should hear the hatred some of them have towards India when the cricket was one.'

Yes, but there have been wars and armed disputes between the countries since Pakistan was founded, that doesn't help. Likewise children of Pakistani and Bengali heritage.