Al-Qaida to attack Euro 2004

[heebyjeebus]

For all you Americans who probably don't know this is a soccer tournament, the European Championships. Apparently Al-Qaida have vowed to attack the venues, fans, etc. Now most people in England are anti-Bush, anti-war, etc. However we are madly passionate about our "soccer" and I've started thinking: if our beloved team gets blown to bits, the whole nation will get whipped up into a gung-ho 'kill em all' frenzy that would shame even the most red-necked Texan. You might think I'm exaggerating but I ain't. Soccer is the opiate of the British masses, and if something happens I'm not goin outside. You know our hooliganism track record, right?

[Tempest]

1. They'll play right into al-Qaeda's hands

Just like Bush fell right into bin Laden's trap.

[indigobusiness]

2. Ain't that the truth...

Gave him the rope, and he ran right out and hung himself.

The rub is, we're all choking.

[aquart]

4. No. Soccer is sacred. You don't mess with soccer.

Al qaida doesn't have hands. Tentacles, maybe.

And living our lives in fear of what al qaida wants is giving al qaida what it wants, so screw 'em. THEY don't know what they want.

[Tempest]

6. al-Qaeda wants more than fear

They also want us to live under the thumb of leaders who use the war on terrorism to take away our freedoms and liberties.

That's another way Bush played right into their hands.

[AlCzervik]

3. I guess you havent been to

Oakland to see a Raiders Game. when they lose there's a riot and when they win there's a riot and usually a stabbing. Last time my husband and i went to a game there was a stabbing in the stands so nothing would really surprise me.

[aquart]

5. You mean it would be hard to tell an act of terror in the violence?

Well, it means al qaida would have to compete REAL hard.

Didn't the British have a violent time at a soccer match in Ireland, once? Bad idea then, bad idea now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. Once? It's been a problem with English crowds for 30 years or more

For 5 years English clubs were banned from European competitions after this:

At around 7pm local time, about an hour before the scheduled kickoff, the trouble started.

Fans had been chanting, waving flags and letting off fireworks, but the atmosphere became more violent and a thin line of police was unable to prevent a contingent of Liverpool followers from stampeding towards rival fans.

A retaining wall separating the Liverpool followers from Juventus supporters in sector 'Z' collapsed under the pressure and many were crushed or trampled when panicking Juventus fans tried to escape.

Thirty-nine Italian and Belgian fans died and hundreds were injured.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/768380.stm

and it's worth pointing out this is a problem with only English 'fans', not Scottish or Welsh (we never play soccer as 'Britain' or 'the UK').

Is there any link to Al Qaeda saying they'll target the championships? I haven't heard of it before.

[JP Belgium]

7. just a minor detail...

Euro 2004 is held in Portugal

[lanparty]

9. Euro Disney is targeted ...

But apparently, France just said "Blow the whole thing up."

[Dying Eagle]

10. WELCOME TO DU

:hi:

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. When did they make this vow?

Have you a link? I can't find anything like this.

[Capt_Nemo]

12. Curious, but I live in Lisbon and if such rumors were circulating

the tabloid press would be already yelling about comming terrorist attacks and the like...

still haven't heard nothing...