That programme has really put the Mrs in a tissy about our cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow in August. Someone above mentioned no visas during the World Cup. We have to get a visa which includes going to the Russian Embassy for fingerprinting. Terrific.
the only thing that slightly annoyed me last night is that the opening bit was straight away putting the blame on England fans, "it wasn't a long time before England hooliganism reared its ugly head " they then showed a video of England fans singing, the same as with every other nation.
Exactly. They even went on and dug out footage of millwall in the 80's. The BBC is slowly becoming more and more of a joke.
There really was so much filler in the programme, three interviews with retired hooligans, some twenty year old clips from YouTube, ten minutes of teenagers doing sit ups, an interview with the wife of a boxer (who didn't appear to be a hooligan anyway) - this was when they were really scaping the barrel, a visit to a 3rd division football match where there were more police than supporters and made me think that they had the football side of the hooligan problem under control.
Eventually they showed six lads dressed in spandex fighting in the woods although they spent longer showing them driving there than fighting - not that I was desperate to see a bunch of youngsters knock each other unconscious, it was just more filler.
Having watched this programme, I think anyone travelling should be relatively safe unless they and six mates accidentally drive an hour into the countryside in track suits or strip half naked with two hundred others and gather in a long line in the snow. If they do and they find there are an equal number standing opposite dressed like they escaped from the fabletics catalogue, with GoPros strapped to their chests, limbering up - then quickly run in the opposite direction.
The organised stuff has been going on for years and not just in Russia. The same stories came out about Poland before the euros over there. I doubt much will happen during the world cup, the police are already gearing up for it. France were woefully underprepared for last year and it's just another mark against them and their security and policing infrastructure.
well I don't know how much solid evidence you have for that claim, but I suppose you observed, possibly through a media filter, them making mistakes you assume the British would never make. Well, firstly if you go to matches across Europe you will have the same criticisms. (Check the Spurs fans' experience in Gent last night, and Dortmund last year). Virtually every time I go to a Czech game, I shake my head at their incompetence. But that's because I have been watching the Brits slowly learning lessons over nearly 50 years.
Did I say the Brits are slowly learning? Does anyone caught in the Floyd Road funnel after the Millwall game really think we have learnt our lessons effectively?
The truth is that all police forces seem to have continuous problems in their approach to football crowds. Maybe they have difficulty, on the ground, at the pinch point, reminding themselves that 98% of the people in front of them are law abiding and just there for the footie. But at least they are ultimately accountable to the citizens who pay their salaries, via a democratic state and functioning rule of law. That will not apply to the Russian police and security services, and that's why I'm not going near the place.
what happened to Spurs fans in Gent ?
This is the Twitter feed of Martin Cloake of Spurs Trust. No violence, just sounds like, as he wrote, the Belgians are clueless. (of course I tweeted him that I had been telling him that for ages :-) )
Two things I've concluded from watching that documentary... (a) someone is going to die at the 2018 World Cup and (b) it's 60 minutes of my life I'll never get back
Two things I've concluded from watching that documentary... (a) someone is going to die at the 2018 World Cup
Just watching it now and I agree. This is going to be a disaster and when someone dies it will be lapped up by these fucking nazis as a thing to be proud of and FIFA will wring their hands and move on to the next profitable venture.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
I'm not sure I have any faith that the will is there to prevent it.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
My worry is that the police and army under Putin will act on the basis that English fans are the threat...
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
My worry is that the police and army under Putin will act on the basis that English fans are the threat...
Pretty much this. Or that a stitch up will be conducted in which the flower of Russian manhood (sic) will be allowed free access to a few fans that are stupid/drunk enough to mouth off / act up.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
My worry is that the police and army under Putin will act on the basis that English fans are the threat...
Pretty much this. Or that a stitch up will be conducted in which the flower of Russian manhood (sic) will be allowed free access to a few fans that are stupid/drunk enough to mouth off / act up.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
My worry is that the police and army under Putin will act on the basis that English fans are the threat...
No match for when we get the white plastic garden furniture out.
I think Putin will put the frighteners on them and there will be a massive massive armed police / army presence to stop any threat of violence embarrassing the country.
My worry is that the police and army under Putin will act on the basis that English fans are the threat...
No match for when we get the white plastic garden furniture out.
I was pointed towards this article, and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the argument. It seems to be the work of activist and relatively liberal minded CSKA Moscow fans, and two ex Charlton players are name checked in it.
That said, though, and as I have tweeted back, the article completely avoids one crucial topic: Marseille...
This video is another compelling attempt to present a more positive picture of the prospects for Russia 18. Still a bit suspicious, myself. Not of the people in this film, I am sure they are genuine. But I think if for some reason Tim Farron and Caroline Lucas got together to make a "Save Millwall" film, it would look something like this..
Comments
There really was so much filler in the programme, three interviews with retired hooligans, some twenty year old clips from YouTube, ten minutes of teenagers doing sit ups, an interview with the wife of a boxer (who didn't appear to be a hooligan anyway) - this was when they were really scaping the barrel, a visit to a 3rd division football match where there were more police than supporters and made me think that they had the football side of the hooligan problem under control.
Eventually they showed six lads dressed in spandex fighting in the woods although they spent longer showing them driving there than fighting - not that I was desperate to see a bunch of youngsters knock each other unconscious, it was just more filler.
Having watched this programme, I think anyone travelling should be relatively safe unless they and six mates accidentally drive an hour into the countryside in track suits or strip half naked with two hundred others and gather in a long line in the snow. If they do and they find there are an equal number standing opposite dressed like they escaped from the fabletics catalogue, with GoPros strapped to their chests, limbering up - then quickly run in the opposite direction.
Anyone thinking of going to the world cup needs their head examined.
I've been to both Countries with England in qualifiers and they both have the potential for being very dodgy and I'd suggest Russia is arguably worst.
But everyone came home from Euro 2012 and apart from the first few days it was relatively peaceful.
It could be dodgy but let's not get drawn into ott scare mongering based on one of these ridiculous documentaries.
they are proper nasty
you have to be well'ard wall fans to want to mess with them
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39172314
I was pointed towards this article, and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the argument. It seems to be the work of activist and relatively liberal minded CSKA Moscow fans, and two ex Charlton players are name checked in it.
That said, though, and as I have tweeted back, the article completely avoids one crucial topic: Marseille...