As a resident of the southern hemisphere - can I make this comment.
There's idiots in any sport. From dickheads who throw beer bottles at the ref in rugby, to
fat Saffers who make it onto the field to tackle the ref.
Even this week - Spurs fans, still not over Sol Campbell leaving (wtf? that was 2002!) are being investigated for abusing him. Not sure if it was racial, or just standard ugly shit.
And yeah -
European football - and I include England (same wikipedia link as previous post) has not exactly been covering itself in glory when it comes to their conduct in the stands.
Neither have the players.
Di Canio's fascist salute antics anyone?
Football reflects the community that it's played in. As
Gazza might be able to tell you - if the pie eating wally recalls - you're pretty stupid to insult the community that you're a part of. And it continues - as the comments
here show.
From where I sit - it's not a matter of who's doing what and when. It's what you're going to do about it. The 'you' being - FIFA, UEFA - other fans in the stand, you as an individual if you witness it, the clubs, the players.
Coz it's bullshit really. And bickering over it doesn't make it any less bullshit. Regardless of what 'side' you're on.