Why Russia 2018 Could Be the Most Dangerous World Cup of All Time

[Coventina]

A drunken chorus of "God Save the Queen" rings out on the streets of Marseille, France as English football supporters congregate by the thousands to soak in the sun and beer at Euro 2016. But the jubilation is cut short by small groups of Russian hooligans that infiltrate their party. Bottles and patio chairs start to fly across the city center, and bystanders are tossed to the cobblestone to get their heads kicked in by a trained, organized force of Russians set on making a nationalistic demonstration on soccer's biggest stage.

The World Cup is set to take place in Russia this summer, and many fear that what happened in Marseille in 2016 may have provided a glimpse of what’s to come.

(snip)

But as for the Russian hooligans themselves, they might have other plans in mind. In February 2017, BCC ran a report on a group of hooligans from Orel, Russia who call themselves the "Orel Butchers." In that report, several members of the group said something big—meaning violent—is going to take place during the World Cup this summer. When asked to give others advice on staying safe at the World Cup, one member went as far as to say: "Have a family and children around you. If you are there with your male friend, you should calculate getting your ass kicked." He also said Russia 2018 will be a "festival of violence."

Others reports have seemingly backed up that man's claim. One circulated this past February pointed out that some Russian hooligans have flown 10,000 miles to Argentina to meet with leaders of Barra Brava groups (Argentina's version of hooligans) to learn how to orchestrate sophisticated attacks on English supporters at the World Cup. It could lead to unprecedented levels of violence during the World Cup.

Oops, forgot the link:

http://www.complex.com/sports/2018/03/why-russia-2018-could-be-most-dangerous-world-cup-all-time

[brooklynite]

1. Or not...

It's one thing to "exhibit national pride" in a foreign country. It's another to do it on home turf when your own Country is on display. Nothing like this happened during the Sochi Winter Olympics and it won't be allowed to happen for the World Cup.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. The Olympics are nothing like football matches

The hooligans are associated with football, not winter sports. The atmosphere at Sochi is completely irrelevant to what might happen at the World Cup.

The basic question is whether Putin wants the cup to go as smoothly as possible, for national prestige, or if he'd turn a blind eye with certain countries (eg England, because of the current relations, and England being guilty of enough hooliganism in the past that they can be credibly blamed for trouble).

[brooklynite]

3. I'm going for the former...

Let people run wild against foreigners, and their might get it in their heads to run wild against you.

[OnDoutside]

5. I'd be surprised if it was the former. You can't encourage militant scum to riot on foreign soil and

hold them back at home. The football is only a sideshow for this lot, there will be a main event of World Cup Hooliganism. The Russian thugs will have been looking forward to this for years, "to defend their homeland". I've been caught in the middle of a riot back in 1995 at an Ireland v England game where the English thugs rioted when Ireland went 1-0 up, and it's seriously dodgy. What will happen in June will be like capital city for hooliganism. When the Russians rioted in the South of France, they were encouraged by Russian politicians.

Nowadays you won't see violence at the grounds, they'll fight in prearranged areas away from the police.

[Thyla]

4. Russia should have never been awarded the World Cup

Based solely on their own fans behaviour if nothing else. The continued violence and racism shown in their own league should of been enough. No way would I be going there as a fan. My best guess is there will be horrible violence from both hooligans and security forces. I just hope there are no deaths.

[OnDoutside]

6. Russia and the Qatar awards are textbook examples of Fifa corruption under Blatter.

[Thyla]

7. Absolutely, both incredibally poor choices that are not hard...

...to see what the true motives were.

[dembotoz]

8. Our team is safe.. don't think we qualify

[Blue_Tires]

9. No chance... With the spotlight of the world on them

Moscow will make sure everyone is on their best Sunday behavior, just like Rio...