20 PEOPLE EACH SIDE... NO GUNS

Russian politician calls for organised fights between rival hooligan gangs

A TOP Russian politician has called for brutal scheduled fights between hooligan gangs to take place at the upcoming World Cup.

He said battles should be refereed inside stadiums and should be “allowed and regulated” by the authorities.

Igor Lebedev wants to see legalised brawls between Russian ultras and gangs from other countries.

His call came as former spy Anna Chapman revealed Russian hooligan groups are holding “trials” to allow admittance to the most violent thugs.

Lebedev said: “Imagine English fans coming, for example – so they come and start to brag. And our answer will be – the challenge was accepted, see you this time at the stadium.

“Twenty people from each side, no guns. Read the rules on our website.”

Loyal Vladimir Putin ally Lebedev, who is deputy chairman of the Russian

I see nothing wrong in the fans fighting. Well done our guys. Carry on...

is also a member of the executive committee of the Russian Football Union.

In recent months, the

Russian authorities have sought to clamp down on hooliganism. Gang leaders have been ordered to move to remote villages or face harsh sanctions from the FSB security service.

But Lebedev said: “We all have to understand there are things which we can’t escape.

“Our fans are fighters, but not hooligans. And fan fights can be turned into sport. We can introduce rules and run competitions.”

Chapman, 36, expelled from the US after the FBI caught her spying, used social media to call for a discussion on the issue. She said: “Tell me what do you think – are you ready for fan fights to be legalised? Today the most unforparliament, giving fights happen not at stadiums, but ahead of games in forests. Leaders of Russian fan groups arrange ‘castings’ to select fighters for upcoming wars with rival fans’ groups.”

After Russian violence against England fans in France during Euro 2016, Lebedev said: “I see nothing wrong in the fans fighting. On the contrary, well done, our guys. Carry on.”