Hoplites fighting in Phalanx formation

[Tarbicus]

Well its a great difference to attack a line of policemen, when you know that they won't try to kill you and to attack a line of soldiers, who certainly will try to kill you.

I think you need to see that footage again, and make your mind up again about whether there was risk to life from the police batons, or at least and more importantly, whether as one of those fans you would believe there was. In the face of superior arms and training and at great risk of serious injury, the fans still attack the police to help their friends.