Arsenal Hooligans 'Joined Forces' With Five British Firms After Tragic European Match
Arsenal hooligans were reportedly accompanied by members of five other British firms ahead of what turned out to be an infamous day of violence.
You’d have to go back to the 1970s and 80s to fully understand the culture and roots of football hooliganism in the UK.
The so-called ‘casuals’ could be spotted wearing designer clothes from brands such as Stone Island, Sergio Tacchini, Burberry and Lacoste at the height of hooliganism.
By the 1990’s firms were losing numbers as the authorities began handing out prison sentences to those involved in football violence.
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Of course, due to the enhanced security measures and surveillance at football stadiums, it is almost impossible to be involved in violence without being identified and later suffering the consequences today.
But every so often, disturbances still occur, with 1,936 arrests related to matches during the 2024/25 campaign, according to GOV.UK figures.
Despite most teams and firms seemingly not being able to stand each other, exceptions have sometimes been made, with some groups even joining forces – namely Liverpool and Everton during the ‘Battle of Everton Valley’ back in 2005.
Five years earlier, ahead of the 2000 UEFA Cup final – now Europa League - between Arsenal and Turkish side Galatasaray, The Guardian reported that a “bloodthirsty alliance of British hooligans” were set to travel to Copenhagen to “avenge” the murder of two Leeds United fans – Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight - who were tragically killed on the eve of Leeds’ UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in April of 2000.
Ahead of the final in Denmark, police said usual rival fans who followed Leeds, Chelsea, Rangers, Cardiff City and Swansea City planned on travelling to the Scandinavian nation to help Arsenal fans fight Turkish supporters.
The Guardian also reported that following two days of violence, four people were stabbed, 11 were injured, and 54 were arrested in the lead-up and after the final, which Gala won on penalties.
The outlet said that for “around 20 minutes, the situation was out of control” with mobs charging at each other using “chairs, tables and metal poles as weapons”.
Arsenal fan Liam Goodenough described the events of that day to BBC News and claimed that when Gala fans were “throwing bottles”, there was “not a single copper in sight”.
Another Gunners supporter, John Harrison, added: "About 100 people came out of a pub and started trying to rally everyone to charge at the Turks.
"None of them had an Arsenal shirt. Some had tattoos from other clubs. I swear none were Arsenal fans. That really amazed me.”
Topics: Arsenal
Luke Davies