The 2011 Football Supporters Europe Congress – Copenhagen

Day 3

Just as well that I got my sleep too as the next day the journey to Bröndby’s ground was quite the trip!  The trains to the nearest station were cancelled, so instead I caught the bus with two AS Roma Fans who work for the organisation MyRoma.  The bus took us to a train station, then we caught a tram for a little while, the trip including a view from the bridge over the flooded motorway and then we set off on a 3km walk!  In sight of the ground, we were then diverted, as the firebrigade were draining the underpass we needed to go through and where two cars were stuck in the water, one submerged to its roof!  Fortunately we were spotted by two Bröndby fans and they drove us the rest of the way to the ground.  The journey did however give me enough time to find out a little bit about MyRoma’s aims in the direction of fan ownership and their opposition to the seemingly ludicrous Tessare del Tifoso (a fan ID card required to purchase tickets in Italy).  More of this should appear in an interview with the group, which will hopefully be published in an FC matchday programme this year and again on this blog.  Because of their work, I was particularly delighted when one of them was elected to the FSE team for this year, along with a range of other excellent candidates, even if I was less fortunate and missed out.

The meeting drew to a close, and with the weather beginning to turn for the worse once more, I headed for the airport and home.  A great weekend, now it’s a case of making sure we progress further before next year!

The 2011 Football Supporters Europe Congress – Copenhagen

Day 2

On the Saturday we were back at Bröndby.  There were a range of seminars I wouldve gladly joined, but as they were all running at parrellel times, I opted for the one about how we can work better with the media.  Useful information was provided by the FSF, and we also had the task of working in groups to then put the theory into practice.  The subject as a whole bore more relevance to fans on the continent, as the trend of supporter groups with media presence is somewhat more pronounced than in Britain.  Nevertheless it was useful learning.

In the afternoon, we had a bit of spare time and as Id got talking to Jonas Gabler on the bus back into town we decided to head out for a little wander around town together.  Jonas has spent time living and attending football in both Italy and Germany, and among other things has written the book “Die Ultras – Fussballfans and Fußballkulturren in Deutschland” (The Ultras – football fans and culture in Germany”).  An interview with Jonas about his book (currently only in German sadly) and other relevant topics, will hopefully follow in the next issue of A Fine Lung and once that’s sold, eventually on here.  In amongst nattering about the ultra “scene” in Germany and its future, as well as just about every other subject going, we caught the bus to the Christiania, the squatted part of Copenhagen, for a look around.  An ever so slightly bizarre hour or so was spent holed up in a rather charming café filled with artists, hippies and slightly moody looking drugdealers, as outside a monsoon was unleashed.  During that time, you couldn’t see out of the windows due to the intensity of the rain, and when we came to leave most of the streets were flooded.  The people wading through the water, had it up to their knees!  We climbed banks, jumped from rock to rock, and twisted and turned through dryer walk ways to avoid the flooding, secure in the knowledge, that surely proper drainage would surely occur once back in normal Copenhagen.  But oh no!  Train stations looked like canal infrastructure with water brimming up to the platform’s edge in places.  We made our way across town on foot, expecting to arrive at FC Copenhagen’s ground for a party.  Instead the stadium was in chaos, alarms ringing, water dripping through the walls and ceiling.  Down in the basement, the lifts were stuck with 5 cm’s of water swilling around them!  We grabbed a beer and had a wonder around, testing doors, water still dripping everywhere.  It had the feeling of a tutorial level from a 1^st Person Shooter set in a distopia.  The trip back into town was also made by foot, alongside some very pleasant Ultras from Metz.  We managed to find a taxi in the end, but whilst the others headed out further into the chaos for a drink, I was ready for bed!

The 2011 Football Supporters Europe Congress – Copenhagen

Day 1

Id not exactly thrown myself into the planning side of my attending this conference, the third Id been to in four years, and so when I printed out my ticket for the flight to Copenhagen at around midnight the previous night, I was far from delighted to find out Id be having to get up a mere three hours later.  Nevertheless I made it and snoozed on the flight, only waking to witness the tremendous descent with views of fishing boats, Malmö in the distance and Oresund Bridge.

Having checked in to my city centre hostel, I made my way out to Bröndby’s ground, meeting many new friends from Brussels, Marseille and Bitola in Macedonia along the way.  Id planned to just help out at the football tournament on the Friday, but due to a lack of players, I decided to inflict my playing skills on the unlucky team with a player missing.  A quick trip around to the club store and before long I was decked out in full Bröndby away kit.  The best I can say about my performance is that I did a lot of running.  So much so that I spent the rest of the weekend limping slightly.

Next up was a talk on something called “Liga Terezin”, which was about the organised league held in the Concentration Camp/Ghetto in the Czech town of Terezin during the war.  Whilst kept there, the Jewish prisoners organised an official league, which was fairly amazing, not just considering the circumstances, but also the level of skill and professionality that appeared to run through the organisation.  A propaganda film was made by the nazis, which provides some footage of one of the matches.  Even with the lack of context, its worth looking up on youtube.  It is worth pointing out however, that this was a propaganda film, and whilst it may portray a relatively emancipated, happy scene, most of the players involved in the match filmed, were later murdered in the holocaust.  A documentary will be coming out later in the year around the subject and the location itself would no doubt be well worth visiting if any hoppers happen to be in the area.

In need of a change of clothes after my football earlier in the day, I was given a lift back into town, and then back to the clubhouse of the Bröndby fans.  In the evening there was a bbq and I was very pleased to get the chance to meet Kevin and Antonia, from the currently underfire Supporters Direct.  Just a brief chat with them both and you begin to realise, as if you hadnt already, just how important their work is.

The last time I was over for the match, smoke bombs were let off during the game, as has become increasingly popular during the brief history of our club.  Whereas in the past the effect of flares and smokebombs had looked ace (view based on anecdotal evidence from messageboard comments and friends, as well as my own views), and had even received positive acclaim from some unlikely sources (ESPN’s commentary of the Brighton FA Cup replay described our support as colourful whilst showing footage of the flares.  Shoot Magazine featured a photo of the flares at the Rochdale game and commented on the tremendous atmosphere directly underneath that photo), the effect on the 22^nd January was however slightly underwhelming.  A relatively dull sky, meant the smoke didn’t have much of an effect and it was only when the steward placed a still smoking bomb at the edge of the MRE did it really approach anything near impressive.  A slight red mist, whilst FC cantered to a victory in the league, wasn’t quite the heady heights of the Main Stand and the MRE glowing red as our team walked out on to the pitch to play Brighton, the whole ground buzzing.  The use of smoke bombs also prompted an official response from the club…

“…there were still problems raised for match control when smoke bombs were let off in the MRE. Although many supporters believe that these add atmosphere to our games they present risks to the health of others. A steward’s hand was burnt on Saturday while they recovered the device and a fellow FC supporter was hospitalised due to the smoke affecting their sight and some of our younger supporters had to leave the ground due to the smoke affecting their breathing. And unfortunately we have been told that these activities will mean these supporters will not return to FC until they are certain there is no risk to their health. Last season smoke bombs scorched the steps of the MRE and the bill was then passed on to the club and some supporters’ clothing was also scorched from flares.

Clearly these are incidents that we do not want at our games and we want all supporters to be able to watch FC in comfort. Smoke bombs and flares are not permitted in football grounds and supporters are asked not to attempt bringing them into Gigg lane. Anyone found in possession of either will be refused entry. This is not a decision that we take lightly but we believe our supporters can generate sufficient atmosphere without using such items.

In order however that we reach a satisfactory conclusion to this matter the club would like to convene a meeting of supporters at our home game on 19th February, at which the club can better explain our position, but importantly supporters can put their side of the undoubted motive of creating a better atmosphere. It is hoped that if successful these meetings can become a regular event. If you are interested in attending such a meeting please email office@fc-utd.co.uk Depending on the level of interest we will announce further details ahead of the game on the 19th Feb.”

Until this point the general approach to pyrotechnics being used could be summed amongst FC fans (again unscientifically “researched” by the author) as the following:

-       Small concerns around children being nearby

-       Concerns around smoke bombs and asthma sufferers

-       Large amount of support and enthusiasm for the use of pyrotechnics and how they looked

-       Messages from the club (I hate using the term “the club” as clearly we are all “the club” but its shorthand for the board and relevant employees/volunteers in this case) stating that although at least some board members liked the flares etc, they are banned and the club would be fined for their use.

The club went on to begin discussions with the younger set of supporters, known as FCUM Yoof, which included talking to them about their relatively frequent, and arguably more responsible in comparison to other cases, use of pyrotechnics.  From a personal point of view, I appreciate the effort the FCUM Yoof put in.  They are one of a only a couple of groups who put a lot of work into creating a consistently visually impressive, colourful and original atmosphere at the match.  In other words I realise everyone sings and most people hold their scarves up or give them a twirl, but the Yoof, along with a few others go that little bit further and the effort shows.  I would suspect that the club realise this and so were therefore keen to talk to them.  This approach by the club is extremely commendable, as is their most recent statement, that rather than just threatening bans, they have also offered the opportunity for a meeting to take place.

Since then a, rapidly increasing in pages, thread has appeared on the unofficial forum mixing some good arguments both pro and contra, with the usual mix of typed shouting and hysteria.  Like the official message from the board on the subject, the main concerns in the thread are:

1)      Health and safety  - ive never been burnt by either flares or smokebombs despite being very, very close to them at times, however Ive seen small burns to clothing during pyrotechnic displays at other clubs and realise that there are definitive risks (breathing problems, drunk people using them, people throwing them on the ground, or worse on the pitch to avoid detection from stewards etc)

2)      Cost – Gigg Lane is a league registered ground, league grounds prohibit the use of such items and I believe that for that reason we get fined every time we use them at home games.  In addition to that you can add the cost of damage to steps on the MRE (scorched steps seems to be pushing it a little, but I guess the potential for damage is there), as well as the cost associated with the police officer who came into the ground and stood about a bit, picking his nose on the 22^nd.

Safety is obviously a huge factor, but even the reckless amongst us must realise that as a club,  the lucrative cup run at an end, we simply cannot afford to use pyrotechnics.  That I guess should put a close on the matter, but then we are not just another club, we are here to change football.  Taking into account health and safety, but accepting that until the latest statement from the club, the reaction to the flares and smokebombs from FC fans was extremely positive, if there was a safer way, would we be interested?

Pyromania is fairly uncommon in England, but what about on the continent?  How have they dealt with the problem?  Many countries don’t appear to be in the slightest bit bothered about any negative effects.  Despite bans, as well as a wealth of other restrictions on fan culture, flares still burn away in Italy.  Likewise in the Balkans, likewise in Turkey.  In Greece there doesn’t appear to be any issue at all!  A relatively often seen video of Panathanaikos versus Villereal, shows the whole ground glowing away…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5IJJCKDh6U&feature=related

A one-off perhaps?  My own visit would suggest otherwise.  I was there for the friendly between the Athens club and Genoa, which also featured many flares.  A lad near me set one off and despite stewards being on hand, no one stepped in to stop him.  None of this helps our own situation of course though.  Germany on the other hand, may however offer some news of interest.  Flares, smoke bombs and other pyrotechnics have been used regularly at club matches.  Some of it has been downright stupid e.g. the regular throwing of bangers (pointless and encourages unnecessary attention from the police), use of distress signals (was funnier in the Inbetweeners) and magnesium powder (reported injuries and burns after this DIY-type firework went wrong at Bochum v Nürnberg last season).  However the flares still look great and so now fans are looking to work with the German equivalent of the FA to agree safe use.

The campaign “Pyrotechnik legalisieren – Emotionen Respektieren” http://www.pyrotechnik-legalisieren.de (translates, although Im sure you could work it out, as legalise pyrotechnics, respect emotion) is nationwide, was initated through the work of over 50 groups from different teams and has the support of a further 50 or so other groups.  Most notably the campaign has been endorsed by at least one club officially.  The campaign states the importance of pyrotechnics in football culture, particularly with regards to atmosphere.  However it also accepts the need for responsibility.  They state the following:

-       The obvious risks involved with pyrotechnic items can be significantly reduced if used in certain circumstances and within certain guidelines

-       That the use of bangers and other forms of explosives should remain banned

-       That pyrotechnic items belong in someones hand and definitely not (being thrown) in the air, and ideally not on the ground.

-       Likewise use indoors, or throwing flares on the pitch or into the away section is unacceptable.  

They go on to claim that legalisation would help reduce risks, as the fear of detection is currently leading to fans letting the flares or smokebombs off in densely packed areas of the terrace, dropping the flare or smokebomb onto the floor before it goes out or throwing them onto the pitch, all in order to avoid being recognised and receiving a stadium ban.

The campaign seeks to establish a code of conduct for the legal use of such items, backed up through self-policing amongst fans and their respective clubs.

Of course, the thing isnt beyond criticism.  Groups listed as supporters or even initiators, have not all been beyond the using some of the items suggested for banning in the very recent past.  Some of the groups havent even learnt to respect other races, genders or sexual persuations, so fuck knows how they expect to be able to cope with a bit of self-policing.  Even some of the photos featured on the site, however impressive, seem to contravene the guidelines suggested by the campaign. Nevertheless an attempt to look into a possible solution to the problem, which could satisfy all parties, rather than an outright ban is a development that is worth following.

This one campaign is not there out on its own either.  The topic is also regularly discussed by Football Supporters Europe and will no doubt again be on the agenda at the next Congress in Copenhagen this summer.

Having never let off a flare or smokebomb myself, but being a definite fan of them, I would urge all interested supporters (whether for or against) to take up the clubs offer of a meeting.  A ban on pyrotechnics is without doubt, sadly necessary at our club at the moment, but that does not mean that all hope of using them again, particularly at TAL, should cease.  We are aiming to change football for the better.  Many people would claim standing at matches, like flares and smoke bombs, is also dangerous.  I would suspect all of our supporters would disagree, we feel standing is important to the general match experience and seek to prove doubters wrong.  When we get to TAL, could we not ask the same questions about safe use of flares and smokebombs as well?

Picture Notes:

FCUM flare images taken from Twitter feeds found through a popular search engine.  Clearly not the original source, so apologies if Ive used without permission.

Campaign logo taken from official Pyrotechnik Legalisieren site (web address located above in article)