The proper penalty
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.So the hoolies are at it yet again. The match between England and Germany was always the most likely flashpoint for the ugly side of English nationalism to rear its head. Friday night saw 374 arrests, followed yesterday by street battles and water cannon. Wry jokes from the football journalists, ritual handwringing from the Government and the Football Supporters' Association about the "few rotten apples ruining it for the vast majority of well-behaved fans" - and on to the next game, no doubt. Meanwhile "the vast majority of well-behaved fans" tut-tut and turn a blind eye to the thugs in their midst. Lives, businesses and national reputations are ruined.
So the hoolies are at it yet again. The match between England and Germany was always the most likely flashpoint for the ugly side of English nationalism to rear its head. Friday night saw 374 arrests, followed yesterday by street battles and water cannon. Wry jokes from the football journalists, ritual handwringing from the Government and the Football Supporters' Association about the "few rotten apples ruining it for the vast majority of well-behaved fans" - and on to the next game, no doubt. Meanwhile "the vast majority of well-behaved fans" tut-tut and turn a blind eye to the thugs in their midst. Lives, businesses and national reputations are ruined.
Well, it's not good enough. If specialist police units and passport seizures aren't capable of bringing these thugs to heel, then the only honourable solution will be for England to withdraw from international football. Bill Shankly got it wrong: football is less important than life and death.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments