Home News Columnists Neil Farrington

Trouble is not rare

Aug 30 2009 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

IF not quite hysterical, the media reaction to the bother in and around Upton Park on Tuesday was out of proportion – and out of touch.

Not so much with what went on before, during and after the West Ham v Millwall game, but with what happens fairly regularly elsewhere in the country.

And what will continue to happen.

As disgraceful as Tuesday night’s events were, they were neither proof of a new era of football hooliganism nor any real surprise.

Pitch invasions – albeit not often on that scale – push and shove with police and stewards (which is all it was inside the ground), and racist chanting are not rare.

And neither, more’s the pity, is the type of trouble witnessed on and around Green Street. Inevitable trouble, given the history of both clubs.

Indeed, worse happens with grim regularity on quieter streets around lesser stadia beyond the gaze of TV crews and 3G phones.

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