Reading stuff likes this makes me almost as upset as the blast of music over the tannoy that accompanies every goal.

Not sure I agree entirely.

At the risk of generalisation, there's a difference between the fan choreography you see in Germany and that which you see in other parts of the world - particularly Eastern Europe - where the terrace atmosphere is more anarchic, and rules of behaviour less stringent.

I've always found the atmosphere at matches in, say, Russia to be much better than in the UK, precisely because of the choreographed element to proceedings.

Besides which, another positive aspect of the organisation of support on the Continent is visual, as opposed to aural. I've always been impressed with the fan displays ("perfomansy") in Russia - unfurling of large flags or banners, meticulously designed and superbly humorous/artistic.

I think I may have to agree with the author. When taking in a TFC game at BMO Field you quickly realise that there are only so many OLE OLE OLA's that you can stand.

You don't understand ultra culture Ian...

And tonight, as we're losing 3-0 in Sweden, the Scotland support - sorry - the "Tartan Army" is heard going through a repertoire of attention-seekingly "brave" ditties which isn't so much choreographed as mentally pre-programmed decades ago.

Agree 100% with your point, Ian - and enjoy how you make it - but there is a far darker example of faux-atmosphere: the one which tells the second oldest national side in the world it never has to worry about its performance.

Not being a hooligan isn't a boast, oh kilted ones - it's the least you should expect of yourself. And repeatedly celebrating defeat isn't the opposite of hooliganism anyway - it's half the bl**dy reason our national team hasn't qualified for a tournament in what will be 14 years, minimum.

Sorry - tenuous use of a good article for a knee-jerk rant ...

Quite right Ian. Why do you need some self-important idiot with a megaphone telling you how to behave? Not quite as bad as goal music, etc, but hope it never catches on here.

Sorry to be a pedant but choreography refers to movement not sound.
Maybe synchronised chanting then?

Myself, Shakespeare and Sazza Palin like to re-shape and re-define the English language.

It is starting to get this way at Lincoln City with the "pasionistas". Backed by a fan site which has spewed out quite a bit of rubbish in its time about the team made them instantly dislikeable to me. That they continually chant throughout the game fairly rubbish songs no matter what is happening throughout the game is annoying. That they then complain about other attendees who don't do this aggravating

Agree 100%. Still, over here in Rio de Janeiro, and all over Brazil actually, I'd say the "organised" chanting are not that "german" really, can be fun to listen to, specially the unique chanting dedicated to each player entering the pitch. The organised ones try to but don't "own" our terraces (they can be scaring at times, though). Most of the time what you will hear will be the non-organised, non-rehearsed individual ooohhhs, ahhhhs, laughter, clapping and the swearing (at referees, at players, at coaches, at our disorganised, corrupt football association...you name it). All very, very sponteanous.
(God knows how we'll host a world cup, but please do come over. We should have Ganso & Neymar playing in 2014 and our lack of everything might be compensated by football?s unrehearsed greatest moments.)