Casuals United Against Fascism

It comes as welcome news to hear that a new anti-fascist group has been set up at an English football club. Aston Villa Anti-Fascists is the newest explicity anti-fascist group to hit the terraces of a top-flight UK club for a long while.

You can contact the group, and share any information on fascist scum in football here: villa_antifascists[at]yahoo.co.uk

Back in the 80’s and 90’s anti-fascist groups were common at football grounds. Many were initiatives by the militant anti-fascist organisation, Anti-Fascist Action (AFA), against racist & fascist groups such as the National Front, British National Party, and Combat 18,  who were trying to make their way onto the terraces to spread their racist poison and recruit foot soldiers. Ordinary working-class people stood up to the fascists and let them know that they were not welcome at their clubs.

Yes, even Millwall had one!

With the emergence of far-right politics onto the terraces  again (BNP influence amongst certain football circles, and also the quasi-fascist English Defence League/Casuals United), it appears that anti-fascist football suporters groups are once again needed.

We wish the Villa anti-fascists the very best, and hope that the initiative is taken up by other footie fans across the country. Now keep your eyes peeled for Hereford United Anti-Fascists!

(You can check out some work by anti-fascist football groups on the continent by visiting the site of the Alerta Network – http://alerta.bplaced.net/wordpress/ )

RB