3 LIONS FACE ‘STATE SPONSORED’ THUGS
Kremlin ‘backs’ savage attacks
RUSSIA could use state-sponsored football hooligans to target England fans at the World Cup, MPs fear.
They said UK police were being “terribly naive” about the risks.
Two Three Lions fans were left in comas after being attacked by Russian Ultras at Euro 2016 in France.
And the Brit official co-ordinating fan safety was among diplomats expelled by Russia following the Salisbury nerve agent attack. Deputy
Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the national lead for football policing, told the House of Commons’ foreign affairs committee
Russian officers had measures in place to protect
England fans.
But Labour MP Chris
Bryant said: “There has been plenty of evidence of the Russian state winding up its supporters, deliberately encouraging antagonism towards other nationalities.
“What you are saying sounds terribly naive.’’
Tory MP Bob Seely added:
“None of you is addressing the fact that there is an undercurrent of political support for extreme football violence.
“If things do turn nasty we will not have the power to protect those fans if there is organised violence against them.’’
Labour’s Ian Austin said that Russian MPs had even congratulated hooligans
ALERT: Chris Bryant who attacked England fans in France.
Russian MP Igor Lebedev tweeted at the time: “I don’t see anything wrong with the fans fighting. Quite the opposite, well done lads, keep it up!”
Mr Roberts said Russian police would have a “more paramilitary” approach than in the UK. The Star Says: Page 6
UP TO 4.5million people in England will not be supporting the Three Lions at the World Cup due to the country’s diverse roots.
Germany and Australia are the other teams fans are most likely to back on ancestral grounds.
Other fans may follow teams containing players from their favourite club side, according to a poll by family history trackers Living DNA.
David Nicholson, from Living DNA, said: “Our increasingly varied genetic mix means more and more people are likely to support more than one team.’’