Below is my response to the BBC's 606 debate on the trouble at yesterday's Champion's League Final in Athens.
You can find this story at:http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A23024198?s_fromedit=1
And my original comment at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/F7373856?thread=4186669&skip=180&show=20
''Mr Gaillard uses the issues of fake tickets and people jumping barriers to blame travelling Liverpool fans. In the first instance we cannot but condemn such alleged actions. Any fan entering with a fake ticket or forcibly entering the stadium has deprived someone else who has legitimately prepared for a match of a lifetime. However, this is irrelevant when dealing in terms of reality when it comes to English football fans and massive occasions such as this. Any stadium and host nation in this day and age which puts itself forward for big events MUST be 110% firm on organisation and security. Thought has to go into ticket checking systems upon entrance, adequate space to allow for bottlenecks and perhaps even a cordon several hundred metres from the perimeter of the stadium to allow an initial ticket check. It is clear the Greek authorities and Uefa did not afford sufficient planning and thought to this event. English fans love their football fiercely. Fact. They will do anything to support their team on a big occasion. Fact. Implement proper systems, have a suitable venue and a well-organised security force to deal with non-payers. ''
