Jesse Campbell said:Sure, I get where you're coming from. But is the only alternative to sticks, flares, bottles, and rocks just an open field? Why not simply agree that the only weapons allowed are hands and feet?
That is precisely what was crossing my mind... though anyone who has ever actually been in a scrap—and let's be honest, most people have at least had a playground scuffle—knows that full-contact fighting has absolutely nothing to do with hurling stones or bottles from twenty yards away.
Why am I such a proponent of "fair fights"? Well, I’ve touched on a few reasons already, but let me expand. First off, it's about truly getting to know your crew and seeing what everyone is made of. Personally, I don't hold it against people who bolt because they’re terrified of taking a punch. A supporter group can be a fantastic community for hanging out, grabbing beers, and traveling to away games, but a street fight is a completely different beast, and often the loudest voices in the stands are the first ones to vanish when things get heavy. A real crew has to be all for one and one for all. If someone isn't capable of being part of that unit, then frankly, there’s nothing left for them to seek there. It’s just the way it works. There are plenty of other ways to contribute to the movement—choreography, designing banners, or composing chants. We shouldn't stigmatize those who might lack the stomach for a brawl, because they can still provide massive value to the group in other arenas. Being a fan doesn't require you to be some hyper-masculine tough guy. That’s how those hardcore groups over in Russia operate; they know each other intimately, and if a hundred guys decide to settle things, every single one of them shows up without exception. Anyone who wavers or retreats is out. And I’m not talking about retreating because you’re physically overwhelmed or taking a hit; I mean retreating because you simply give up and run. That is
simply not tolerated. On the flip side, when you're throwing rocks and bottles, it’s perfectly standard to clear out once you've emptied your arsenal; in fact, that’s almost expected.
Whether the showdown happens in a field or in the city isn't the primary issue, even if an open field offers certain perks. 1.) It keeps everything completely out of the public eye. 2.) If someone gets knocked sideways, there’s much less chance of a serious injury compared to hitting your head on concrete or a metal railing. Now, the advantage of the city streets is that the supporter culture is fundamentally an urban phenomenon, so you retain that gritty, street-level aesthetic.
And there is a third point that people rarely bring up, which in my opinion is decisive—though, mind you, I am certainly no legal scholar, so feel free to correct me if I'm off base. It comes down to the concept of victim consent. In a scenario involving, say, a ten-on-ten clash in a field, there technically isn't a criminal offense occurring because both sides have voluntarily consented to the confrontation. I know this because of the sports I participate in; by that logic, every contact sport would be considered a criminal act. If both parties agree to a fight under specific rules, no crime has been committed, and everyone can go home in peace. Every individual should have the right to engage in a fight, provided both sides genuinely want it.