Fan Bans

From ESPN, a list of bans in the new NFL spectator code of conduct...

• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.

• Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

• Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

• Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.

• Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.

• Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

Holy crap do rules like this contrast starkly with European soccer.

For me, I enjoy having a somewhat civilized approach to spectating sports (granted opposing fans to the Riders may not feel the same way.) But there is no comparison to soccer in Europe. There are no riot police on constant standby at NFL/CFL games. There is no division of opposing fans into sections of the stadium, separated by giant plexiglass dividers. There is no police escort of the opposing team's fans to the stadium. There is no restriction on the opposing team's fans from leaving the stadium at the same time as the home team's fan. There is no passport checks to buy tickets for games. You can buy tickets at the stadium and not at a separate location blocks away the first day you get into Rome and have no idea what's going on.

Having said that, the insanity of a major soccer game in Europe is amazing. Granted, a large number of deaths have resulted through the years of fan violence. The most recent shakeup coming about a week after we left Italy in 2006 when fan rioting resulted in a police officer being killed. It doesn't seem like things have changed much though. There is always a big worry of things getting out of hand when the big clubs meet in Champions League. If they had to live by the rules above, from what I saw in Italy anyway, there would be rioting in the streets... Oh wait, they do that already anyway.