Boyle finds out Russia’s way of handling tanked-up football fans
GLASGOW comedian Frankie Boyle will be able to give Scots police a few tips on how to handle drunken football hooligans ... after seeing how the Russians are preparing for the start of this month’s World Cup Finals.
Boyle travelled to Russia to explore the myths and stereotypes about the country before it hosts the tournament.
He discovered that “drunk tanks” from the Soviet era are being brught out of retirement in anticipation of rowdy crowds. The aim is to avoid alcohol-fuelled clashes between fans.
The discovery is just one of a host that will be revealed in Frankie Goes To Russia, to be screened tomorrow night.
Boyle also heads to Rostovon-Don, the city twinned with Glasgow. It is near the Ukrainian border and has a reputation for football violence, and Boyle tried to track down the city’s hooligans.
He also meets come of the sword-swishing Cossacks who are set to police the stadia.
While he was there, the spy poisoning scandal broke, leaving Boyle in Russia at a time when relations between the country and the West were perhaps at their lowest since the Cold War.
The comedian admitted to feeling “twitchy” following the attack on Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia in Salisbury.
In Moscow for election day, Boyle watched as Vladimir Putin was elected President for a fourth time.
Boyle said: “If all goes well, the 2018 World Cup will be one of the greatest triumphs of Putin’s first 200 years in office. The only risk is Putin’s ego becomes so gigantically enlarged he actually pops.
“Putin is determined for the tournament to go smoothly so he can rebuild a positive image of Russia and himself. If I ever get to meet Putin, I will probably take my top off and challenge him to an erotically charged wrestling match, which I will let him win.”
Frankie Goes To Russia, Sunday, BBC2, 9pm.