Arsenal versus Cologne balls: German ‘army invades’ London and media prays for blood
Good fun in Soho as a large contingent of Cologne fans marched along singing their songs. The police didn’t kettle them, send for the attack dogs nor smash their heads in. And so about 20,000 Cologne fans clutching 2,900 tickets between them arrived at The Emirates for the club’s match with Arsenal.
FC Koln fans taking over #OxfordStreet ahead of tonight's #EuropaLeague clash with #Arsenal #Cologne #FCKoln pic.twitter.com/xaSsFOwwAo
— Gary Stonehouse (@garystonehouse) September 14, 2017
They can’t all get in. So the match has been delayed.
Has there been any bother, then? Lots of fighting and broken class? Patio furniture tossed about the place and blood on the pavement?
Oha sayın seyirciler. Köln taraftarı 20 bin kişiyle Arsenal deplasmanına gelmiş. Hepsi içeriye girmeye çalışıyor, maç bir saat ertelendi. pic.twitter.com/ChJSFMIyyK
— Okan Okumuş (@okumusokan) September 14, 2017
A Met Police spokesman tells us: “At around 15:00hrs on Thursday, 14 September a large group of football fans gathered in Oxford Street, W1. The group were at the location for about 30 minutes whilst they boarded public transport to travel to a football match this evening. They did throw bottles and let off flares, but there was no significant disorder, police were on scene and there have been no arrests. The group has now left the area.”
Bit of a laugh, then. A few berks throw bottles but that’s about it. No more (surely much less – ed) than the high spirits you see at rugby matches.
So how does the Daily Mail report on the joyful rowdiness?
Germans invade London: Fights break out as an army of 20,000 Cologne football fans march through centre of the capital as kick-off of Europa League match with Arsenal is DELAYED for ‘crowd safety’
An invading army! The Mail’s ‘Crime Correspondent’ begins his report thus:
Violence erupted onto the streets of London after an army of German football fans marched through the centre of the capital.
Carnage! Or as the small print notes: “footage later emerged of two men being punched and kicked in a street during clashes.” Two men fighting. Call of the RAF. Stand down the nuclear submarine. The war might over as soon as the Hans and Jurgen tire.
At the Ground.
Well, a load of Cologne fans seems to be in the Arsenal end. Good-oh. Lots of atmosphere for a change.
Pretty much everyone you see in this pic are Cologne fans – All those in the Arsenal end. They are everywhere. pic.twitter.com/5ca4X2S8Nt
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) September 14, 2017
Koln fans fighting with stewards inside Emirates stadium. Group arrived in home end and fought their way into away section. pic.twitter.com/7RC17WZyz2
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) September 14, 2017
Arsenal home section at the moment pic.twitter.com/ueEMiWaAuz
— Alex (@AlexTasker12) September 14, 2017
And finally… get his down to forensics!
Seats still aren't clean! @arsenal @LeGrove @SheWore @REDactionAFC @CharlieWyett pic.twitter.com/6Hl1lpHuJo
— The Block 5 Gooner (@Block_5_Gooner) September 14, 2017
PS – Arsenal fans are flogging their tickets to Cologne fans.
PPS: Reports that Cologne fans arrived yesterday to reserve their sets with towels as yet unproven.
Posted: 14th, September 2017 | In: Arsenal, News, Sports, Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
