' FOOTBALL THUGS TARGETTING '

Manic Russian thugs target England fans at World Cup 2018

Daily Mail

Thursday 16th February 2017


Russia's Hooligan Army is on BBC Two at 9pm on Thursday night.

Across the river from the Rostov Arena, which will stage five matches at next year's World Cup, a Russian football hooligan offers a chilling warning to England's travelling fans.

'For some it will be a festival of football, for others it will be a festival of violence.'

It is the concluding line in a horrifying hour-long BBC documentary to be aired on Thursday night. The film tracks down the perpetrators of violence inflicted on England supporters in Marseille last summer and looks at what these highly organised, expertly trained gangs have planned for a tournament on their own turf.


Thugs train in a gym in their bid to be the most-feared hooligans ahead of the 2018 World Cup


Hooligans take part in planking exercises in the gym after letting in the BBC cameras

Prospective hooligan gang members scrap in an audition fight near Rostov

Wearing a mask, the man who claims to be the leader of the '200 professionals against 2,000 amateurs' on Marseille's streets — a martial arts specialist, a member of the 'Orel Butchers' and a fluent English speaker — suggests any England supporters travelling among other male fans 'should calculate on getting their a**** kicked'.

In the same interview he boasts with pride that he kicked an England fan squarely in the head in the 'Battle of Marseille', surmising that his victim might have been one of the two left in comas.

Film-maker Alex Stockley von Statzer gains extraordinary access to these Russian ultras, filming their boxing gym-style training sessions and organised, illegal 'forest fights' against gangs from other football clubs.

A hooligan is captured stamping repeatedly on the head of a rival, only to then help his opponent to his feet and shake his hand when the senior members of the gangs call time on the barbaric encounter. One of the leaders says it is not their intention to leave the young men 'crippled' in these fights but to 'nurture' them for the World Cup.

One hooligan interviewed in the film said he cooked an English fan in the head in Marseille

Russians revere thuggish elements in English football - 'the forefathers of hooliganism'


Thugs hang out in a sauna - one issued a warning to England supporters that if they 'live by the sword, they will die by the sword'

The Russians revere the thuggish element of England's supporters. 'They are the forefathers of hooliganism,' declares one gang member and this, the film explains, is why they will be targeted next summer. The English represent the ultimate scalp.

There are links, claims Stockley von Statzer, between the hooligans and President Vladimir Putin's government. A man called 'Vasily The Killer', the head of the Nazi-saluting 'Mad Butchers' of Spartak Moscow, claims the '150 Spartans' who terrorised Marseille 'were special military forces of football hooligans sent by Vladimir Putin to conquer Europe'.

Across the river from the Rostov Arena, a Russian hooligan explained that England fans will be targeted at the 2018 World Cup

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter (left) and deputy prime minister of Russia Igor Shuvalov at the World Cup 2018 bid announcement in 2010

'The current state of today's English hooligans is the same as your western culture and civilisation,' adds Vasily. 'I mean deep in the garbage bin.'

An unnamed Russian hooligan says: 'I am going to give some free advice to the guys that might come here. Learn the history of our country. We are at war every hundred years. We are natural born warriors, it's in our blood, but come to this country with a sword and you will die by that sword.'

Putin has promised that 'the 2018 World Cup will be up to the highest standards' and the man who claims to have led the gangs in Marseille believes the Russian authorities will move to 'lock them down' ahead of the World Cup.

Vladimir Putin has promised that the '2018 World Cup will be up the highest standards'


But previous attempts to address hooliganism have not proved successful. A response to widespread violence in the 1990s was the formation of the All Russian Fans Association. According to the film, an official ARFA charter flight from Moscow to Marseille carried many of the thugs involved in the running battles with England fans and three board members were jailed in France, one for two years.

ARFA has been shut down and its leader, Alexander Shprygin, was arrested on his return from France. But it is with more than a hint of pride that he reflects on the sickening events at Euro 2016.

'For 20 years since the Soviet Union has collapsed a new generation of Russian citizen has grown and among those who were on the plane to Marseille were champions in combat fights. The English were fighting a trained machine that swept them away.'

Russia's Hooligan Army is on BBC Two at 9pm on Thursday night.

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Who's that at the forefront with the " Ken Thorne " shirt on. A little disconcerting to hear that if your male your fair game, the only saviour would be having your wife and kids there. As if anyone would be mad enough to take their family to Russia.

Take a look on youtube there's load on there about the russians,even women have organised fights lol,will be a very interesting time,if we qualify

That country is an absolute disgrace - I have been going to the Euros since 2000 and have really enjoyed the experiences. I wouldn't spend a penny of my hard earned cash in that horrible country. Would be marvellous to see a boycott by fans - but of course won't happen.

Hopefully they don't now affiliate Wales with them after the 'truce'

People worry about Qatar hosting the World Cup, but having seen the thugs at the euros hosting it in Russia is madness. The event will be totally eclipsed in my opinion by the thuggery of holigans - of which the equivalent d-/: heads of the home nations in particular are ill equipped to deal with

not only are FIFA taking a world cup there but they are giving all the category 4 tickets {the cheapest tickets either side of the fans of both participatting countries to the Russians.
this is the price list CATts 1-3 prices in USD ,CAT 4 in roubles or beads or what ever curency those cowardy shitbags use these days
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisati ... index.html

I will probably still go if we qualified though.....

I would be in Moscow
but my teeth would be in ST Petersburg!!!!

not only are FIFA taking a world cup there but they are giving all the category 4 tickets {the cheapest tickets either side of the fans of both participatting countries to the Russians.
this is the price list CATts 1-3 prices in USD ,CAT 4 in roubles or beads or what ever curency those cowardy shitbags use these days
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organisati ... index.html

£ 18 quid a game for the Russians. A minimum of £ 85 for the rest of us. I'm starting to get a really bad feeling about Russia. I sense the authorities not only lack a zero tolerance to their violence but are likely to go a step further and jail any western victim of violence in some sort of propaganda war.

Went out there when we had them.in play offs.....my little group got attacked everywhere even ran through a restaurant to escape a mob of skinheads.

English hooligans better get practicing their chair throwing, they seem to be quite good at that.

I don't mind a fight but I ain't stupid, fighting trained mma fighters who will stomp u to death, not for me got to think about my kids, I won't be going to Russia.

English hooligans better get practicing their chair throwing, they seem to be quite good at that.

in all fairness the ruskies mostly attacked families and oaps.
was crap.

English hooligans better get practicing their chair throwing, they seem to be quite good at that.

in all fairness the ruskies mostly attacked families and oaps.
was crap.

Really, not what I've heard/seen, that was the English hooligans excuses when they got done.

They won't be attacking just england they go for anybody who's got an English accent Welsh Irish no one is safe out there

Hello Cardiff fans,
Long time lurker, first post now.
I've followed England abroad for 20 years and in that time our support has changed beyond recognition.
When I started going, England's away support was made up of 90% lads.
We already had the reputation from the 80s and there was always trouble. More often than not, it was the English fans that were targeted (Italy 97, Marseille 98 where two English fans were stabbed by local Arabs and nearly lost their lives) but we had people only too happy to get involved. Of course, if English fans hadn't caused chaos across Europe in the 80s then I'm sure we wouldn't be so much of a target now, but let's at least acknowledge that other countries had their hooligans then too - it's just that we were the best at it, and now we are not!
Our support has been watered down by banning orders and we now have people carrying Shrek dolls or dressing up as Knights in their place. Real football violence ended in this country a long time ago. People don't want to risk losing their job having a punch up at football- what's the point? We have too much to lose. All that happens now is that people dress up and get wrapped up in escorts. Even our banned lads would be no match for those Russians. Or the Hungarians, Croats, Serbs, etc.
I was in Marseille in the summer and the English weren't angels - but it felt like we were up against the Russian army.
Trained MMA fighters against a load of pissheads. I really expected people to die after what I saw (and rumours were rife at the time that this had happened). After seeing all that, my attitude to the Wales game changed and I had some good chats and drinks with lads from North Wales and Cardiff. I was glad you lot didn't get the same treatment at your game with Russia.
This is bigger than inter-UK rivalry. I'm still undecided about going next year (assuming we qualify) but it won't be an enjoyable time and it won't be just the English who are targeted. May need to upgrade my plastic chair to an iron one.

English hooligans better get practicing their chair throwing, they seem to be quite good at that.

in all fairness the ruskies mostly attacked families and oaps.
was crap.

Really, not what I've heard/seen, that was the English hooligans excuses when they got done.

was indiscriminate mate. and they were really not up againt what id consider an English mob.
hatred of England doesnt turn truth into excuses.it remains the truth.
they went there for publicity and didnt care much how they got it.

They'll target any nation - I'd expect the Italians or Dutch in particular to be targeted due to the ultra elements to their domestic support.

Euros saw Ukrainians Germans and Portuguese targeted too

The police will probably be on top of the world cups inSouth Africa and Brazil and euros in Poland & Ukraine were meant to be just as dangerous. Probably be ok as long as you don't go looking for it and stick to the city centres

My Brothers Crew were up against it in the Play-Offs say no more. It`s up to the World`s special forces to not make it into a blood bath for the paparazzi to film, beware of disinformation some is badly video shopped. Putin is inviting the World to visit, I think he`s got plans in set, as have all the other Nations, This will be a test no doubt. PS Iron Chairs sound about right.

Didn't Welsh fans get a tough time in Moscow 2003 cos the locals knew the soul crew were a top firm in the English leagues?

I just watched the documentary and thin the police will be well on top over there

Hello Cardiff fans,
Long time lurker, first post now.
I've followed England abroad for 20 years and in that time our support has changed beyond recognition.
When I started going, England's away support was made up of 90% lads.
We already had the reputation from the 80s and there was always trouble. More often than not, it was the English fans that were targeted (Italy 97, Marseille 98 where two English fans were stabbed by local Arabs and nearly lost their lives) but we had people only too happy to get involved. Of course, if English fans hadn't caused chaos across Europe in the 80s then I'm sure we wouldn't be so much of a target now, but let's at least acknowledge that other countries had their hooligans then too - it's just that we were the best at it, and now we are not!
Our support has been watered down by banning orders and we now have people carrying Shrek dolls or dressing up as Knights in their place. Real football violence ended in this country a long time ago. People don't want to risk losing their job having a punch up at football- what's the point? We have too much to lose. All that happens now is that people dress up and get wrapped up in escorts. Even our banned lads would be no match for those Russians. Or the Hungarians, Croats, Serbs, etc.
I was in Marseille in the summer and the English weren't angels - but it felt like we were up against the Russian army.
Trained MMA fighters against a load of pissheads. I really expected people to die after what I saw (and rumours were rife at the time that this had happened). After seeing all that, my attitude to the Wales game changed and I had some good chats and drinks with lads from North Wales and Cardiff. I was glad you lot didn't get the same treatment at your game with Russia.
This is bigger than inter-UK rivalry. I'm still undecided about going next year (assuming we qualify) but it won't be an enjoyable time and it won't be just the English who are targeted. May need to upgrade my plastic chair to an iron one.

Is it just me but after coaching that programme last night the russians come across as wanna be's,ok they had boys training but,that's in every where,they say they were training to fight,but training is training,if you want to fight training don't make you hard,they were loving the fact that we wanted to make a programme about them,I reckon there will be a massive cracking down before the tournament,if we qualify I ll be going over,but clearly you ve got to have your wits about you

I found it very disturbing although not surprising. Aggression is a way of life for them unfortunately. There wont be a couple of hundred looking for it as in Marseille there'll be thousands in every city and tens of thousands in the big cities.

And its not just the English, they'll go for absolutely everyone. The authorities will lock up a few ring leaders as a token but they'll barely scratch the surface.

And when you get caught up in it don't expect much sympathy from the authorities, you'll be part of the problem, they'll be looking to deflect criticism of Russia and you'll be sharing the blame. If you kick people in the head so routinely then people will die as a result and unfortunately in Russia its inevitable.

Everything that was so good about France will be impossible in Russia. The shows of colour, the relaxed drinking in the pavement bars will be out. It will be 2 weeks living on your nerves, frightened to venture out of the hotel. The games themselves will be trouble free and FIFA will label it a success.

My Brothers Crew were up against it in the Play-Offs say no more. It`s up to the World`s special forces to not make it into a blood bath for the paparazzi to film, beware of disinformation some is badly video shopped. Putin is inviting the World to visit, I think he`s got plans in set, as have all the other Nations, This will be a test no doubt. PS Iron Chairs sound about right.

What on earth are you talking about

It will be a nightmare out there as many have said. Putin was happy for that to happen in France, he wants Russia to look tough and Europe weak. Any foreigner caught up will be prob not only be beaten up but jailed aswell to deflect blame from the hosts.
On that programme those in training/fighting didn't look anything like those big state sponsored lumps that were in France last summer, tickets, flights accommodation all sorted by Russian gment basically.
Shame they are 30 years too late and would never come to the motherland, as they call it, anyway. The big English firms of the 80's like millwall, West Ham, Chelsea, Birmingham Leeds, boro etc would have given them something to think about that is for sure. Not a plastic chair in sight back then.

I'll be ok I've seen Rocky IV.

Good post from the gasshead. Always interesting to read a different perspective.
Come on Annis see if you can get a Russian poster on here!

I'll be ok I've seen Rocky IV.

Good post from the gasshead. Always interesting to read a different perspective.
Come on Annis see if you can get a Russian poster on here!

I bet they are trying to read this site, they are obsessed with British hooligan culture.

Also lots of our newer fans will never know how bad it was in the 80's, let alone the 70's. You really did step into the unknown at some away games. Things weren't even reported back then. Some of the loons that followed city back then, they'd never take a step back, even from this crop of Russian mafia.....

English hooligans better get practicing their chair throwing, they seem to be quite good at that.

in all fairness the ruskies mostly attacked families and oaps.
was crap.

Really, not what I've heard/seen, that was the English hooligans excuses when they got done.

was indiscriminate mate. and they were really not up againt what id consider an English mob.
hatred of England doesnt turn truth into excuses.it remains the truth.
they went there for publicity and didnt care much how they got it.

Take your points, but the Rovers fan who was there seems to agree more with me. I don't think Wales will qualify anyway, but if we do there'll be a lot of people having to make a difficult decision.

Just watched this....I think there will be a huge crackdown in Russia leading up to the world cup. That documentary already showed the authorities have started tightening the screws....one of their top boys basically admitted he won't be taking part.