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I'm an away travelling football fan who has been subject to attacks by opposing ultras including attempting to set fire to vehicles, buildings, stands with flares. I have also been in situations inside stadiums where flares have been thrown into enclosed spaces where fans are being kettled and nearly cause a crush.
I've seen somebody suffer serious burns to the face as a result of a flare throwing incident at a match I went to in Argentina.
Less of an issue, but a serious one, is the severe asthma attacks that can be triggered by the fumes.
Yes, they look great but there is a flip side.
Your firework comparison is invalid. Of course fireworks and flares should not be allowed in large scale crowd control situations that are subject to violent outbreaks.
Stonehedge-
"Your firework comparison is invalid. Of course fireworks and flares should not be allowed in large scale crowd control situations that are subject to violent outbreaks."
I wasn't talking about fireworks in relation to large scale crowd situation; I was making the point that flares aren't dangerous in and of themselves - they have a practical application - but become dangerous when thrown at people. The same could be said of fireworks.
You list a litany of misbehaviour. All I'm saying is that I find excitement in the flared enhanced carnival-like atmosphere of a Serie A football game. That's all. Nothing more than that. Not condoning anything. Just making an observation.
The_Kindness_of_Trees
Did you see that picture I posted? Have you not watched Italian or South American football when it's a full-on flag, drum and flare fest and not thought it looks like the most amazing thing to be part of?
Your stance on health and safety suggests to me you might be young. I'm not calling for them to be made legal, just saying that flares are kind of exciting. In any case, you could say the same things about fireworks. Would you like to ban fireworks?