Russia gets slap on the wrist over hooligan rampage
More violence possible in France as thugs seek out rival soccer fans
PARIS These Russian thugs are so bloodthirsty, so savage it’s easy to forget that English and French fans were the original purveyors of violence on the streets of Marseille late last week.
When it comes to hooliganism here, English supporters are undoubtedly junior varsity. Hundreds of hyper-violent Russian supporters crushed England fans before and after Saturday’s match in the southern port city.
Described as a well-trained militia of ultra-extreme, neo-Nazis, Russian mobs have caused so much carnage that UEFA stepped in Tuesday to warn the Football Union of Russia (RFS) of possible disqualification.
French television crews captured the scenes — a mob of Russians winding their way through Marseille lanes and streets before sneaking up on unsuspecting England supporters having a drink.
It looked like something out of Gangs of New York. Only the Englishmen weren’t as prepared as the nutters who ambushed them — some wielding knives, reportedly. It takes a lot for English hooligans to retreat.
Those were the scenes following last Saturday’s draw at Stade Velodrome. Russian supporters charged. English supporters attempted to hold them off while others fled. There was a brief spell of chaos. And now both sets of fans, both sets of hooligans, have travelled north to Lille and Lens, where there’s growing concern that Russian supporters plan to produce another round of violence.
Whether they’ll heed UEFA’s warning is the next part of this story. The RFS on Tuesday was fined $216,000 and handed a “suspended disqualification.”
In other words, the RFS was given a final warning, a wag of the finger — a light punishment given dozens of English fans were hospitalized following last weekend’s hostilities.
You see, UEFA claims it has no jurisdiction over incidents that take place outside French stadiums. It has simply looked the other way as pertains to the chaos perpetuated by Russians on the streets of Marseille.
The ruling is neither proper nor preventive. It’s conceivable that similar violence could take place on the streets of Lille or during future Russian fixtures.
UEFA shouldn’t have handed the RFS a minor slap on the wrist. It should have completely banned Russian supporters from attending matches involving their team.
There should be zero tolerance for post-game stampedes like the one in Marseille last Saturday. Unsuspecting fans are at risk of being crushed during such melees.
It’s not difficult to enforce. Make everyone produce a passport prior to entering the venue. Political correctness and equality should be ignored in order to maintain stadium safety.
When you consider Slovakia, Russia’s opponent at Stade PierreMauroy for Wednesday night, was once Soviet-occupied, it’s not below Russian supporters to antagonize their next opponent. They’ve done it before. Russian supporters unveiled a massive “THIS IS RUSSIA” banner during a Euro match four years ago in Warsaw. A similar showing would likely get them fully disqualified following Tuesday’s UEFA warning.
Whether they care remains to be seen. Hooligans willing to brutalize fellow humans could probably care less if they get their side disqualified from this competition.
Which is why French authorities need to rise to the occasion. It’s unconscionable that each and every Russian supporter evaded arrest last week while multiple English supporters were jailed for hooliganism.
One of them, a 16-year-old English fan, was given two months behind bars for throwing a bottle at police. “It’s a joke,” the boys father told local TV crews. “It doesn’t make sense.”
French cops are rounding up the minnows and allowing the sharks to swim free. That no Russians were arrested in Marseille speaks to the level of incompetence portrayed by French authorities.
They’ll need to be far better prepared for whatever happens in Lille. Should they win Group B, the Russians will make their way to Paris for the Round of 16.
English pubs throughout this city would undoubtedly be on high alert. Russian football gangs vowed to “obliterate” England supporters before this tournament.
Who knows if they got their fill in Marseille.