NO BUSINESS IN BUSINESS

Its been four years and the world is all jacked up (sauve 75% of North America). The Worlds Best Countries are returning to the pitches and so are their fans.

Its these same fans that are notorious for acts of brutal and casual violence. Yes, American football has its "tailgate" parties and hockey and basketball fans have been known to have the odd "riot" in celebration of their teams victory. However, NOTHING compares to the brutality displayed by your average soccer hooligan.

In the 70s and 80s England was regarded as having bred the most vicious of all hooligans. Club supporters (in some circumstances, from the same city even blocks apart) would pummel each other mercilessly in the name of their team. Going to Europe was often likened by some as a second crusade. Some of the more notorious firms were Chelsea's "Headhunters" , Westhams's "ICF (Inter City Firm)" ), Leeds' "Service Crew" and Millwall's "Bushwackers". Eventually due to several incidences, including the "Heysel" disaster saw the rise in prevention of Hooliganism by the British government.

As of recent its even estimated that some 3500 British Hooligans have had their passports taken away in an attempt to curb their presence in Germany (their greatest rival). What might be considered unfortunate for the dwindling amounts of English hoolies is considered great luck by most eastern european supporters. Most specifically the Poles. Where boundries such as the English channel are a significant obstruction to a taste of violence, most other Easter and Central European Hooligans do not have to encounter.

Poland for instance shares a border with Germany, much to the dismay of the German government. Already last fall a large fight broke out between German and Polish supporters in which the Polish supporters were recognized as the winners. Some German officials are particularly frightened at the prospect of a hooligans world cup, where by the country that does the most damage, wins.

What also must be recognized is the fact that Holland and Germany (particularly in the lower leagues) still have thriving crews. Yugoslavias civil war has mustered up tensions as well and there is a great potential that Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro might meet up in a quarter final qualifying game.

Keep those eyes peeled and those ears open, its going to be interesting to see whose crowned the worlds most violent...

-CeePee