Russian Politician Suggests Plans To Legalise Hooliganism And Turn It Into Organised Sport Ahead Of 2018 World Cup

Chris Wright

6th, March 2017

3 Comments

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As you may recall, the recent European Championships in France were plagued by outbreaks of hooliganism, not least in Marseille where hordes of Russian yobs staged organised attacks on groups of England fans.

However, as the rest of the world poured scorn on the perpetrators, one man spoke out in support of the hooligans: that man was Russian politician Igor Lebedev.

I don’t see anything wrong with the fans fighting. Quite the opposite, well done lads, keep it up!

With Euro 2016 having come and gone, focus has moved to the next major tournament, the 2018 World Cup, which is, of course, being hosted by Russia.

With two years to limber up and no borders to smuggle themselves across, it’s feared that Russian thugs will have themselves a field day and the tournament descend into a very literal bloodbath.

Reassuring then that the country’s politicians are taking steps to curb the violence, with Lebedev once again taking the lead in the fight against hooliganism in football.

Indeed, Lebedev, who is deputy chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party and sits on the Russian parliament, has outlined a grand plan to legalise hooliganism and even transform it into a spectator sport in its own right.

Writing on the official website of the Liberal Democratic Party, Lebedev outlined his plans:

Russia would be a pioneer in a new sport. England fans arrive, for example, and start bullying and looking for trouble – and the challenge is accepted. A meeting in a stadium at a set time.

There’s 20 people on each side, without weapons, and the rules could be found on our website.

Lebedev also argued that by introducing rules and structure to proceedings, any aggression would be channelled in a “peaceful direction.”

You know the most alarming thing about all this? We think he’s probably serious.

Posted in Euro 2016, Hardmen, World Cup

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3 Comments

  1. Jeremia says:

    And what exactly would be wrong in that?

  2. pfcpedja says:

    Years ago, i think around 2008, it was a already a huge discussion (on academic and political level) in the netherlands to legalise ‘football related private fighting’. It was considered a ‘victimless crime’ as all participants are aware of what they’re doing with certain rules in the subculture, again rules that both agreed on (number of participants on each side, no weapons etc.). Its a bit cheap to to deonte something as ‘strange’ just because it’s coming from russia, the new established omega of evil. a proper discussion is missing… and again what exactly would be wrong in that?

  3. Chris says:

    There would be nothing wrong with that per se. The problem is that even though this would reduce unpleasant adventures during matches for ordinary ticketholders, if anyone would organize such a thing, he would be immediately accused of promoting violent behavior and it would be hard to shake off those accusations. Why don’t hooligans do it themselves, though? Press hard until they get a permission for the event and voila. It’s not like they need FIFA’s blessing.

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