Dusseldorf Summary and Analysis

Buford introduces readers to DJ, a supporter of West Ham and a budding photographer. Buford is introduced to DJ by a friend, whose influence extends over at least the West Ham supporters. He describes an outing of supporters who pick up an escaped young female mental patient. They fondle her, urinate on her, and intend to rape her, by the friend stops them. Since the European Championship is to be held in Germany, DJ is fronted money to go take photographs of the crowds. Buford and DJ meet several times before the championships, and Buford finds DJ has plenty of stories about football and violence. DJ himself, however, seems different from other supporters, in that he is highly educated, Jewish, speaks French, is well read and comes from a background of money. Buford admits he believes DJ proves his theory of...