It's not the fault of football - if it didn't exist the same people would choose another medium for displaying to the world their intellectual and moral failings. (for further details see 'political' demonstrations and social media).
The irony is that once upon a time English football fans were confined to what amounted to caged terraces because the actions of a violent (and often racist) minority caused politicians and the media to act as if everyone who attended games was vermin. The sport's ascent into mainstream acceptance was both rapid and unexpected. So we shouldn't rule out the possibility that if fans insist on behaving badly enough for long enough the day may come when games are played in front of largely empty stadiums while a worldwide audience watches at home, glad to keep away from the feral males acting up in the ground.
