As the latest Manchester derby gets ready to rumble, there is even a worry that a Serbia v Albania-style drone could lead to chaos.
But that would hardly be out of the ordinary if derbies around the world are anything to go by...
The Figo Clasico
Barcelona v Real Madrid can often turn ugly. Jose Mourinho did his best to stoke those fires during his time in charge at Real Madrid. But even his antics, which involved poking the late Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova in the eye, did not match the infamy and vitriol on show during a Clasico in October 2000.
The cause? Ex-Barcelona captain Luis Figo was returning to the Nou Camp shortly after making the controversial switch to Real Madrid.
Throughout the match he endured abuse from the culés with missiles in the form of mobile phones and lighters raining down towards. But most famously of all, a pig's head was aimed at him...
Dida cuaght in a Milan fireball
While Figo had objects thrown at him, he was fortunate that he was not struck by a flare because that's exactly what happened to Brazilian goalkeeper Dida when his Milan side were taking on city rivals Inter in a 2005 Champions League match...
Souness' red flag moment
Galatasaray v Fenerbahce hardly needs a spark as the Istanbul giants' hatred for each other is very well known.
Yet former Gala manager Graeme Souness made the decision to plant a Galatasaray flag in the centre circle at Fenerbahce's home ground after his team had beaten them in the 1996 Turkish final.
His moment of madness almost sparked a riot...but endeared him to the Gala fans...
Capital of Gladiators
Team 33 were over in Rome to see Richard Chambers's beloved Roma host Parma in February. But we certainly would have postponed our visit if it had been for the Rome derby.
One of the most intensely fought and bitter derbies in world football, in 2004 it was suspended at half-time after a rumour about a boy being killed (the boy actually had breathing difficulties and was very much alive) sparked riots among the clubs' ultras. Roma icon Francesco Totti had to ask the referee to postpone the match as battles raged inside and outside the stadium...(skip 6 minutes in)
Stay indoors for the Seville derby
When I lived in Seville five years ago, I was warned in no uncertain terms to avoid going anywhere near the city's two club stadiums when local rivals Seville and Real Betis on derby day.
After El Clasico, it is one of the most intensely fought derby matches in Spain. In 2007, ex-Tottenham and Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked out by an errant bottle from the stands...
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