World's most intense football derbies

Celtic vs Rangers

What makes the Old Firm unique is that, this is unquestionably the most complex derby in the world. Several factors like politics, attitudes, contrasting ideologies, locality, and finances are intertwined together to make this one hell of a game but one aspect which makes this derby stand out is religion. Celtic representing the Irish folk in Scotland, were predominantly Roman Catholics, while on the other hand Rangers represented the Scottish natives and were Protestants. What intensifies things is that both clubs have different political ideologies and this contributes to the rivalry surrounding the two giants form Glasgow. Sectarian chants are commonplace during Old Firm clashes and such is the impact of the match that tremors are often felt even in the neighboring countries of Northern Ireland and Ireland in the form of riots. And ever since the 2nd World War, no player has moved to other club in a direct transfer. Many-a-times passion takes the better of fans and games are marred by fan violence and one occasion the game had to be stopped because a missile thrown from the stands had hit the referee. Fans subsequently invaded the pitch and insurgence ensured and later 113 people were arrested. With the entire nation glued to their TV sets on derby day, the Old Firm is said to be worth a whooping £120 million to the Scottish economy.