Fans Don't Let Fans Get Rowdy

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At this summer's 2006 World Cup in Germany, officials fear terrorism more than hooliganism, but they are preparing for everything. Fans and governments are learning to deal with the thugs in their midst, and nasty fans may be under pressure to clean up their act. Lately, the English leagues have been yuppied up, with family sections, no-profanity sections, and no-alcohol sections. At the same time, European fans are asserting their right to congregate during the 2006 World Cup, even though they have no chance of buying their way in. Authorities hope to show games on giant screens and are working with police on less-aggressive crowd-control methods. Some visiting fans may bring racist chants and violence, but they cannot obscure the beauty and passion that draw these crowds, inside and outside the stadiums.

—George Vecsey [12/14/05]

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