Featured
UEFA Reveal Nation With Worst Behaved Fans in Europe – England 6th Best Behaved
Football supporters – especially those who travel all around the houses to watch their club/country perform in the flesh – are typically given a hard time. They have long been slammed for how they conduct themselves at matches; and poor behaviour has often led to bans, fans and sanctions for both clubs and national teams.
Each year, UEFA – who are well-known as European football’s governing body – publish their fair play rankings to reveal the best and worst-behaved fans in Europe. Each national association is scored, and ranked, on some key criteria:
Red and yellow cards.
Respect for opponents.
Respect for the referee team.
Behaviour of team officials.
Behaviour of spectators.
According to UEFA’s official rulebook, the Fair Play Regulations “aim to foster sporting attitudes and conduct among players, team officials and spectators” – which means that nations must adopt a collective effort to rise up the rankings, which are produced after UEFA delegates make an assessment. Scores are averaged over the 12 months to produce the final score.
50-41
Kicking things off as the worst-behaved supporters on the European stage are those in Albania, a country that have no club in any of UEFA’s three primary club competitions. Therefore, a large chunk of their 66 matches involve the national team – all in all, they have a lowly fair play score of 6.774; Croatia, elsewhere, have a score of 7.228.
Albania are in the same qualification group as Serbia for next summer’s World Cup – and that match-up, one of the most hotly-contested thanks to the historical tensions in that region, could see their scores rise. During a World Cup qualifier in June, UEFA fined the Albanian FA and ordered a partial stadium closure, with 20% kept empty for their following game, while Serbia’s current score sits at 7.239.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cyprus then follow in 47th and 46th. Turkey – who have both Galatasaray and Fenerbahce competing in Europe – boast a score of 7.62 and find themselves just behind Switzerland and Monaco, which is the second-smallest nation in the entire world, in the overall standings.
The likes of Porto and Jose Mourinho-managed Benfica are flying the flag high for Portugal, though their position on the list suggests they have supporters who are poorly behaved at matches. They are sat 42nd on the list, with a score of 7.744, and are just behind Kosovo, who possess a score of 7.75.
Position
National Association
Matches Played
Fair Play Score
50.
Albania
66
6.774
49.
Croatia
118
7.228
48.
Serbia
111
7.239
47.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
92
7.395
46.
Cyprus
93
7.5
45.
Turkey
140
7.62
44.
Switzerland
116
7.622
43.
Montenegro
78
7.687
42.
Portugal
175
7.744
41.
Kosovo
73
7.75
40-31

Romania and Italy are separated by very little as we enter the top 40. That’s not to say that they are well-behaved given they are so far down on the list – but UEFA have definitely seen improvements. The latter may have supporters of Napoli and Inter Milan, to name a couple, to thank for their lowly position on this list.
The Italians, who have been observed across 242 matches, sit in 39th – and they are just behind Slovenia, with a score of 7.866, and Israel, who many believe should be banned from competing due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Albeit controversially, Israeli top flight outfit Maccabi Tel Aviv are currently competing in the Europa League.
Armenia, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, North Macedonia and Poland are among those to finish off this category. The latter’s international matches aside, Lech Poznan are currently plying their trade in Europe’s third tier club competition – which, perhaps, may explain why they are in the position they are.
Position
National Association
Matches Played
Fair Play Score
40.
Romania
103
7.836
39.
Italy
242
7.838
38.
Slovenia
120
7.866
37.
Israel
68
7.875
36.
Armenia
75
7.9
35.
Hungary
104
7.923
34.
Greece
108
7.951
33.
Sweden
133
7.988
32.
North Macedonia
65
8.052
31.
Poland
130
8.095
30-21

Paris Saint-Germain ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will be looking to fire his nation, Georgia, to some sort of glory in the coming years – and should he do so, he’ll be doing it for fans who are relatively well-behaved. Just ahead are France, who have none other than PSG batting it out on the European stage for the nation, and Belgium, who have a score of 8.164.
Bulgaria and Ukraine are, by a margin, better behaved than Belgium, according to UEFA’s latest report – and they, respectively, have scores of 8.166 and 8.209.
Austria and the Netherlands are somewhat smackbang in the middle of the 50 nations – in 25th and 24th, respectively, with the latter counting on the likes of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven to do them proud on the European stage. To round off the section, we have the Republic of Ireland (8.304), Latvia (8.333) and Spain (8.431).
La Roja are the reigning champions of Europe after beating England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final – and fans would’ve been in high spirits over last summer. For Spanish clubs competing continentally, the usual outcome is victory and that’s perhaps why they are almost creeping into the top 20 best-behaved nations. Not yet, though, with a score of 8.341.
Position
National Association
Matches Played
Fair Play Score
30.
Georgia
87
8.096
29.
France
217
8.13
28.
Belgium
150
8.164
27.
Bulgaria
81
8.166
26.
Ukraine
111
8.209
25.
Austria
143
8.247
24.
Netherlands
186
8.288
23.
Republic of Ireland
90
8.304
22.
Latvia
85
8.333
21.
Spain
263
8.341
20-11

Now into the business end of the best-behaved supporters, we start with those of a Czechia persuasion. Of course, there is Slavia Prague competing in Europe for UEFA to take into consideration, but also the games of the national team; overall, from 148 matches, they have a score of 8.357. In 19th is Scotland and in 18th is Germany.
The latter have plenty of sides – Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund – competing in the Champions League and the behaviour of their respective sets of fans, players and coaching staff will have played a massive part in their favourable score of 8.376, which sees them sat just behind Azerbaijan.
Qarabag are the only team from Azerbaijan who are competing at the top of Europe, but they have a smattering of other clubs in the lower-ranked competitions. Andorra, a landlocked country nestled between Spain and France, is up next as the 16th best-behaved fans and players on the continent.

Denmark, Wales – who rely entirely on their international fixtures given no club teams are in European competition – and Finland then follow before this category is rounded off by the respective scores of 8.567 and 8.629 for Northern Ireland and Iceland.
Position
National Association
Matches Played
Fair Play Score
20.
Czechia
148
8.348
19.
Scotland
114
8.357
18.
Germany
224
8.376
17.
Azerbaijan
84
8.483
16.
Andorra
59
8.5
15.
Denmark
110
8.5
14.
Wales
73
8.515
13.
Finland
104
8.547
12.
Northern Ireland
77
8.567
11.
Iceland
81
8.629
10-1

Norway, a country spearheaded by the talismanic Erling Haaland, kick off the top ten with a Fair Play score of 8.661 – and they are followed by Slovakia, whose best and most notable side in Slovan Bratislava are competing in this season’s Europa Conference League. With a score of 8.692, they are the ninth-best behaved supporters on the planet this year.
The duo of Estonia and Malta then follow, respectively, in eighth and seventh with scores around the 8.7 mark. Then, it’s England, who have a whole host of sides competing in the three European competitions – with four sides playing at Europe’s top table – who are the sixth-best nation in terms of their behaviour.
In that time, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur met in the 2024/25 Europa League final and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were crowned winners of the Europa Conference League. Despite the mixed reputation of English fans, inbetween England and the table toppers, there are Luxembourg, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Moldova.
Europe’s best-behaved footballing nation are the Faroe Islands, who are whiskers away from qualifying for their first-ever World Cup after a shock 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. Over a collection of 62 matches at club and country level, they are the only nation with a score above nine – 9.136.
Position
National Association
Matches Played
Fair Play Score
10.
Norway
133
8.661
9.
Slovakia
108
8.692
8.
Estonia
68
8.7
7.
Malta
70
8.708
6.
England
241
8.717
5.
Luxembourg
61
8.727
4.
Lithuania
68
8.857
3.
Kazakhstan
94
8.868
2.
Moldova
81
8.937
1.
Faroe Islands
62
9.136
Mikel Arteta could start 16-year-old in third-ro
Arsenal are expected to rotate when they travel to take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
It is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days and Mikel Arteta is set to make use of the strong squad available to him.
Why Oxford Street is so much more than a shopping destination
That could mean a first start for Eberechi Eze since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, while Noni Madueke is also in contention to come into the side.
Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start, so Gabriel Jesus will likely lead the line unless Arteta opts to keep trying to play Viktor Gyokeres into form.
The Gunners will again be without Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta confirming that this match will be “too early” for him.
Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt, having gone off against Liverpool with a suspected hamstring injury. He was due to undergo scans on Friday.
“We have to see the extent of what happened to Piero,” Arteta said.
“He could not carry on in the second half, so I don’t know exactly what it is.”
That leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the obvious starter at left-back and there could be an opportunity for 16-year-old Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.
Kepa will start in goal, as he has been doing in the Carabao Cup, and the likes of Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are options in midfield.
Ethan Nwaneri will hope for some minutes, even off the bench. He has not featured since the win over Club Brugge a month ago.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Injured: Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz
Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports
Venue: Fratton Park
Featured
Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest
Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.
Piero Hincapie
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.
Kai Havertz
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Match fitness
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Riccardo Calafiori
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.
Max Dowman
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.
ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST
Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.
Featured
Full confirmed list of Arsenal ins and outs in January transfer window as first deal announced
Arsenal transfer ins and outs as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta get to work in the January window
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.
Phillip Schofield’s latest replacement revealed as Holly Willoughby gets new co-host
Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.
The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club
Gabriel Martinelli ban and fine verdicts as FA make punishment decision on Arsenal ace
There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.
With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.
-
Featured3 months agoVAR AND REFEREE ERROR Why Manchester United goal stood despite head injury to Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister
-
ARSENAL'3 months agoArsenal’s next five fixtures compared to Liverpool and Man City after Crystal Palace win
-
Liverpool3 months agoPremier League explains two controversial Liverpool penalty decisions as referee replaced
-
ARSENAL INJURY UPDATE2 months agoGabriel Jesus training footage sends clear message to Mikel Arteta ahead of Tottenham clash
-
Featured2 months agocentre-backs available THIS SUMMER for Liverpool FC
-
Arsenal predicted XI3 months agoFulham 0-1 Arsenal 69: NO PENALTY! Finally the decision is made. Anthony Taylor steps away from the screen and announces that Kevin played the ball. It seemed pretty clear but it took an age to get there.
-
Liverpool3 months agoGOAL! Brentford 2-1 Liverpool | Kerkez ’45+5
-
Arsenal predicted XI3 months agoFormer Arsenal star training with first-team ahead of Atletico Madrid