Russians are turning to silly songs, mustaches to defuse tension

MOSCOW – How bad is Russia’s national soccer team? Even the ruthless leader of Chechnya couldn’t coach it to victory – or so goes a satirical song buzzing around Russian social networks ahead of the World Cup.

The Chechen strongman shot back – with a goofy patriotic rap.

Instead of moping about sanctions, political repression and doping suspicions, Russians are turning to parody as they ready to host the world’s most-watched sporting event.

The self-deprecating mockery is helping defuse domestic tensions around Russia’s World Cup, which kicks off Thursday in Moscow with much at stake for President Vladimir Putin and his proud nation.

Video clips circulating online caricature the players on Russia’s bottomranked team as aging, narcissistic and injury-prone.

The favored target is mustachioed Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov. TV star and comedian Ivan Urgant is appealing to Russians to post images of themselves wearing mustaches as a show of support, and his tongue-in-cheek hashtag “Mustaches of Hope” became a quick hit.

Popular singer Semyon Slepakov has a more radical idea: Replace the coach with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.

“Ramzan, Ramzan, Ramzan, tough like parmesan,” sings Slepakov in a video released this week.

He imagines what would happen if Putin ordered Kadyrov to take over the team. Channeling Kadyrov, the singer threatens the players: “Don’t forget, you only have one life.’’