The Final: Attack On WembleyIf this doesn't make you proud to be English, then nothing will. A documentary detailing the delayed Euro 2020 final where England took on Italy. The delayed aspect is somewhat pertinent in my opinion, and more of my cod-psychological nonsense later.
Filmed almost exclusively using mobile phone footage, with 24 hour rolling news chipping in with righteous indignation, and featuring interviews with Wembley executives, stewards, Brent Council, and not least fans, one of whom is more than happy to incriminate himself repeatedly on camera.
The fans fall into two groups. People who actually bought tickets and would seem to be actual football fans, and total fucking pains in the arse that you would cross the road to avoid. One of whom, as stated above, was intent on gaining entry to Wembley no matter what.
England fans started arriving a good twelve hours before kickoff intent on stuffing as much alcohol down their necks and as much cocaine up their noses as humanly possible. What starts off as thousands of good natured banter soon descends into total carnage with flares stuck up arses, busses being stopped and almost overturned, bottles thrown, and basically Wembley Way being totally overrun.
We all know how this ended, very badly both on and off the pitch. One of the fans, an Asian, was praying during the penalty shootout as he knew the ramifications for him personally if Saka were to miss. And so it came to pass, with him being subjected to racial abuse as he tried to negotiate his way home.
The date of the final is very important. We were just literally days after Covid restrictions were lifted. The fan who forced his way inside is asked if he has any remorse or shame in regards to his actions. No, he says, and then goes on to tell us how much he struggled during lockdown, spending days in bed, and goes on to justify himself in the wake of Johnson’s No’ 10 parties. I think more should have been made of this. The majority of those on Wembley Way were young men. Young men who were forced to miss the most important year of their development. It’s not a justification for the carnage, but it was a release,and a signpost back to normality.
Find it on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYH7gRgJ2Bc