Newcastle must threaten thugs after sickening scenes and Sela Cup fears

The events over the past week following the appalling stabbings in Southport in which three young girls were killed have been disturbing and sickening to witness.

Fuelled by lies, false narratives and dog whistle racism, far-right thugs and mindless idiots hell-bent on gratuitous violence and vandalism have wrecked and smashed up towns and cities across the country. The scenes of destruction and targeting of people due to their ethnicity that have been seen in Hull, Stoke, Manchester and Rotherham have been terrifying, but for many of us, perhaps the incidents in Hartlepool and Sunderland have felt particularly close to home.

Putting aside all Footballing rivalries for a moment, I’m sure that as Geordies and Newcastle United supporters, most of us know that the majority of Mackems and Sunderland supporters are decent people who do not deserve to have been subjected to the disgusting vandalism that occurred. The images of many Mackems turning up in the aftermath the following morning to clean up the mess and restore the pride they have in their town tells as much.

Lists of future planned ‘protests’ by the far right have circulated on social media with one at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle earmarked for next Saturday. This has caused concern not only due to the potential for the unrest witnessed elsewhere to be repeated in our city, but also with the Sela Cup doubleheader at St James’ Park with Newcastle’s mens and womens teams hosting Stade Brestois and AC Milan respectively.

Whilst Friday night’s friendly against Girona does not appear to be in doubt, some have questioned whether the games on Saturday should go ahead given the proximity of St James’ Park to the rumoured protests expected that day. In light of this, there's been calls for Newcastle to act if any fan or season-ticket holder is found to be engaging in any social disorder over the weekend, with some talk of bans being handed out to any offenders.

There are those who are of the opinion that those involved in football, (be they players, managers, pundits or clubs) should stick to football. However, football clubs have always, from the earliest days of the game, been routed in their communities. For Newcastle as a one team city, there has always been a very strong emotional connection.

For many Geordies, their love and pride for Newcastle United and for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne are two sides of the same coin. It is not only the team of the city itself but also of the wider region. It commands support from across the North East. Geordies, Northumbrians, North Easterners in general are welcoming and friendly. Yet there are racist yobs who debase and disgrace us as a city and as a region. If the club is to take such a strong line then it is to be applauded in standing up in support of our beautiful city and proud region.

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