Time for UEFA to hurt Roma ultras
UEFA’S claim to be “deeply shocked” that armed Roma ultras went on yet another violent rampage was risible.
How could European football’s governing body possibly be surprised, given the reign of terror the Italian club’s fans have wreaked both in their own country and all around the continent for several decades?
The brutal Liverpool attack that left 53-year-old Sean Cox fighting for his life was far from an isolated incident. Organised violence follows the Roma ultras wherever they go.
Liverpool fans have now been attacked three times, while supporters of Middlesbrough, Manchester United, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea have also been assaulted. Many of the victims were stabbed.
But it isn’t just English fans who are targets. Many in Serie A suffered stabbings too and one Napoli fan was even shot dead by a Roma ultra.
Attacks have also taken place against followers of clubs, such as CSKA Moscow, Feyenoord, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid, at European games. But UEFA have in the past washed their hands of responsibility for violence outside grounds.
They say to legally impose sanctions offences must take place in the “vicinity” of stadia. The latest attack took place just yards from The Kop turnstiles, so should be actionable.
But UEFA’s Anfield statement said of the perpetrators: “We trust they will be dealt with the utmost severity by the authorities.”
That sounded to me as if UEFA are content to pass the buck to local police forces and courts.
But surely UEFA have a duty to protect fans and tackle the longstanding, serial violence of the Roma militants?
The Italian football authorities have also been incredibly lax in dealing with the numerous incidents of Roma violence.
Roma’s president has branded his club’s ultras as “idiots”, but has proved powerless to stop their behaviour.
Until UEFA admit they have a responsibility to tackle the organised thuggery Roma bring to football both inside and outside stadia, the problem will get worse.
A European football ban would be a start.