Football match troublemakers to be dealt with by security experts

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Football match troublemakers to be dealt with by security experts A high-profile police presence and close monitoring of CCTV has always been the way that football clubs dealt with high-risk games; but now more are turning to security specialists who send in undercover operatives to help clubs and the authorities, thus identifying and banning those fans who are the ringleaders when it comes to violence and anti-social behaviour.

Racism has been rearing its ugly head again in British football, though many would argue that the problem had never really gone away in the first place. With John Terry set to face a criminal charge in July for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, an incident which cost Terry the England captain’s armband and Fabio Capello his job as international coach, and Luis Suarez returning to action after an eight-match ban for racist comments directed at Patrice Evra, the problem has never been more palpable.

This weekend’s match, with Liverpool and Suarez playing Patrice Evra’s Manchester United was always going to be explosive, and it is thought that both clubs hired undercover intelligence specialists to try and deal with the threat posed by fans hell bent on taking advantage of the fiery atmosphere to cause trouble.

In the end, Suarez managed that by himself when he refused to shake Evra’s offered hand but the move towards undercover operatives to root out anti-social fans is one that is proving successful at clubs around the country.

CCTV can only go so far in identifying potential culprits and it is much easier to prosecute and ban people if they are caught in the act; of course, most of these “fans” stop any abusive chanting as soon as police or stewards come near the, but undercover intelligence experts can be used to monitor any individuals which the club or the police have identified as being potentially “high risk”.

These undercover fans can then be used to stop any violent behaviour or simply to report on anti-social chanting – evidence which can then be used to ban supporters whose activities are unacceptable in the 21st century, even on the football terraces.

Dean Windass reveals the dark side of football

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Dean Windass reveals the dark side of football Footballer Dean Windass has revealed that he hit rock bottom when his playing career came to an end and that he had attempted suicide. The 42 year old, whose many former clubs included Bradford, Middlesborough and Hull, has shocked the footballing world by admitting he tried to hang himself, the same way that Gary Speed took his own life, and giving up on his fight against depression.

Windass has told The People newspaper that in the two years since retiring he has cried every single day, and whilst those outside people seemed to think they lived a charmed life, he was in such a deep, black hole that he couldn’t see any way out of it. He says that it was just over a week ago t hat he hit the bottom and decided to end it all, first trying a overdose that didn’t work, and then deciding to hang himself.

Windass spoke frankly about he felt so along and truly believed that he has nothing more to live for. He sees the two failed attempts as a wake up call, that he realises how much he has to sort himself out and that is why he has chosen to speak to the paper. He added that the public perceived him as a big, tough man who could take anything that was thrown at him, and that he wasn’t ashamed to admit he wanted to end it all.

Windass, who in 2008 scored the stunning winner in the Championship play off final which saw his team Hull promoted to the premier league, is calling on the PFA, Professional Footballers Association, to assist their member more in what can be a traumatic and difficult transition from playing to retiring. He says that there are hundreds of footballers who find it hard after retiring, and the PFA needs to do more to help them.

 

Rob Earnshaw wants Welsh players to put Wales first

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Rob Earnshaw wants Welsh players to put Wales first Rob Earnshaw the Cardiff striker stated this week that players must think about Welsh football and the league’s future before they decide if they should compete at the 2012 London Olympics.  This is born out of concern that even though FIFA has stated they will not judge any player’s who do choose to play, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are worried that if they choose to play their team’s independent status will be damaged.  This is the first time that Great Britain will play in the Olympics since 1960.

Earnshaw stated that Wales has been playing for some time and the aim of players should be to make sure that the team continues to survive.

The men’s Olympic team coach was announced to be Stuart Pearce this past Thursday and he plans to use players from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland at the 2012 Games in an effort to truly have a Great Britain Team.  Players Joe Allenhave, Gareth Bale, and Aaron Ramsey have all stated that they would like to play for the team.

Earnshaw addressed this by stating that if the team is truly a Great Britain team and inclusion will not hurt any of the countries then it would not be a problem, but the concern is that they want to make sure that the Wales team sticks together forever because they are proud to be Welsh players playing for the country. He also added that it would be great for any player to get a chance to play in the Olympics.