I AM writing to express my shock and dismay at the behaviour of Singapore soccer fans during and after the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final against Vietnam last Sunday at the National Stadium.

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It is most unfortunate, but the bullying of the small number of Vietnamese fans by the overwhelming majority of S'poreans, at the AFF Suzuki Cup match last Sunday, happens all too often at soccer games these days.

Even though the violence & ugly behaviour was perpetrated by only a small number of S'poreans, who represent the black sheep of our society, dangerous acts like the tossing of a glass bottle into the Vietnamese section, where women & children were seated, is totally inexcusable.

What were the police & security personnel doing herding the Vietnamese fans out of the stadium into the waiting arms of the volatile home crowd, who were waiting to hurl bags of rubbish & other objects at them? I thought the police were at the stadium to protect the fans & prevent any untoward incidents - not send the small minority of away fans, like lambs, to the slaughter.

Although Singapore has progressed economically and can be considered a First World Nation, we are still stuck in Third World for social grace. However, is such behaviour a problem for Singapore or soccer only? Soccer hooliganism happens in many First World Nations in Europe and other parts of the world which is known for politeness and high social grace.

Some say Ruby is a hooligan game played by gentlemen, while Soccer is a gentlemen game played and watched by hooligans. Judging from the evidence, I reckon this statement is absolutely correct.

But we have to understand the sentiments of singaporeans also. When their team is beaten in their own turf they will naturally show their anger. It is acceptable. However so long as the violence does not result in fatalities it is ok. It is wrong to term singaporeans as rowdies.

Football hooliganism in the form of organised gang fights, brawls, vandalism & intimidation are widespread in many parts of Europe, such as Holland, Italy, Turkey, England, Croatia etc. At times, fights between fans of rival teams actually take place before or after soccer games at pre-arranged places far away from the stadium, to avoid the police. Some gangs are actually formed for the specific purpose of fighting with supporters from rival clubs. Many gangs in South & East Europe, are connected with right wing elements or racist groups.

The level of violence ranges from slurs & punches to riots in which fans clash with clubs, bats, bottles, rocks, or even use knives & other weapons. Stadium fights have resulted in panic & fleeing fans have died after fences or stands collapsed. Gang members, police & even innocent bystanders were killed in such rioting before.

If there had been more Vietnamese supporters at the National Stadium, instead of the paltry 3,000 odd, full-scale fights would likely have erupted, with possible loss of life.

Eegle2004 is an imposter & a stalker....................

many of the vietnamnese players were diving all around the field. maybe Team Singapore can consider recruiting these foreign talent to represent us in diving.

and that goalkeeper who was so good at play-acting, after one of our players merely brushed against him. I think mediacorpse should offer him an acting contract, since he can act better than most of our local actors.

nonetheless, i believe these are no excuse for the violent conduct of our local fans.

The violence exhibited by the S'porean fans resulted from a confluence of events: An upset defeat at home, provocative celebrations from the minority of away fans, lax police security & the mistake of security personnel directing the 3,000 or so Vietnamese fans out of the stadium while 50,000 home fans were leaving, which was akin to herding lambs into a den of hungry lions.

There is no place on the football field for violence. Rowdy is not violent. Maybe supporters need to be reminded..its only a game.

A game?

Tell it to the soccer fans when they have lost their marbles?