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Moscow braced for football riots Moscow braced for football riots
(about 1 hour later)
By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes BBC News, MoscowBy Rupert Wingfield-Hayes BBC News, Moscow
Russian supporters were well behaved for the London matchEngland are taking on Russia in a crucial football match that could decide which country will qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament next year.Russian supporters were well behaved for the London matchEngland are taking on Russia in a crucial football match that could decide which country will qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament next year.
England are the favourites, but Russia have an impressive record of winning at home.England are the favourites, but Russia have an impressive record of winning at home.
With thousands of England fans travelling to Moscow for the match, the authorities are putting on a huge security operation to try and make sure there isn't any football violence.With thousands of England fans travelling to Moscow for the match, the authorities are putting on a huge security operation to try and make sure there isn't any football violence.
But it is not the English fans they are most worried about, it is Russian football hooligans who today are the most feared in Europe.But it is not the English fans they are most worried about, it is Russian football hooligans who today are the most feared in Europe.
In the bitter cold of an early Moscow winter evening a handful of hardcore English football fans are cheering on their team.
"Come on England" they shout "Come on England".
Out on the field their team is not doing terribly well.
They have already conceded two goals to the younger and more athletic Russian side.
Fortunately for the fans this is not the real England - Russia match.
It is a friendly between English and Russian football fans.
The atmosphere is jovial. The match has been organised by the British Council to bring fans together.
But when it comes the real match on Wednesday night things are likely to be considerably tenser.
Violent gangsViolent gangs
The Russian authorities are taking no chances. They are putting 6,000 riot police on the streets of Moscow.The Russian authorities are taking no chances. They are putting 6,000 riot police on the streets of Moscow.
In 2002 hooligans rioted in Moscow following defeat in the World CupIn 2002 hooligans rioted in Moscow following defeat in the World Cup
Their big fear is not English hooligans. These days it is the home grown variety they are really worried about.Their big fear is not English hooligans. These days it is the home grown variety they are really worried about.
If you want to get an idea of what Russian hooligans are like just go to YouTube and type in: "Russian football hooligans".If you want to get an idea of what Russian hooligans are like just go to YouTube and type in: "Russian football hooligans".
It will bring up dozens of home shot videos of violent clashes between gangs of young men, and sometimes even women.It will bring up dozens of home shot videos of violent clashes between gangs of young men, and sometimes even women.
One of the most popular shows a battle between gangs outside St Petersburg in 2005.One of the most popular shows a battle between gangs outside St Petersburg in 2005.
Two groups of roughly 100 men run at each other fists and feet flailing.Two groups of roughly 100 men run at each other fists and feet flailing.
In the ensuing maelstrom some are knocked unconscious, others stagger away blood pouring from cut faces and heads.In the ensuing maelstrom some are knocked unconscious, others stagger away blood pouring from cut faces and heads.
The fight is highly organised and extremely violent.The fight is highly organised and extremely violent.
Clashes like this one happen almost every weekend somewhere in Russia.Clashes like this one happen almost every weekend somewhere in Russia.
English modelEnglish model
But ironically the inspiration for it comes from England.But ironically the inspiration for it comes from England.
The only real English hooligans are banned - they sit at home drinking beer and watching on TV IvanFormer hooliganThe only real English hooligans are banned - they sit at home drinking beer and watching on TV IvanFormer hooligan
In a shop on one of Moscow's most expensive shopping streets I have come to meet Ivan.In a shop on one of Moscow's most expensive shopping streets I have come to meet Ivan.
Ivan used to be a Russian football hooligan. Now he sells British football fashions to Russian football fans.Ivan used to be a Russian football hooligan. Now he sells British football fashions to Russian football fans.
He shows me names like "Stone Island" and "Lambretta".He shows me names like "Stone Island" and "Lambretta".
"These fashions are popular in Russia because the terrace culture comes from England," Ivan tells me."These fashions are popular in Russia because the terrace culture comes from England," Ivan tells me.
Ivan and his fellow Russian hooligans see themselves as the inheritors of Britain's infamous football gangs of the 1980s.Ivan and his fellow Russian hooligans see themselves as the inheritors of Britain's infamous football gangs of the 1980s.
Ivan does not see it as shameful. He claims it is a genuine subculture, and laments what has happened to the English gangs.Ivan does not see it as shameful. He claims it is a genuine subculture, and laments what has happened to the English gangs.
"Nowadays English hooligans do not have any good mobs or firms," he says a grin spreading over his broad face."Nowadays English hooligans do not have any good mobs or firms," he says a grin spreading over his broad face.
"The only real English hooligans are banned. They sit at home drinking beer and watching on TV. But they're no longer in the stadium. It's unfortunate," Ivan says."The only real English hooligans are banned. They sit at home drinking beer and watching on TV. But they're no longer in the stadium. It's unfortunate," Ivan says.
'Strongest hooligans''Strongest hooligans'
Every major Russian football club has its own Firms or organised group of hooligans.Every major Russian football club has its own Firms or organised group of hooligans.
Against our toughest guys the English don't stand a chance VasilySpartak Moscow supporterAgainst our toughest guys the English don't stand a chance VasilySpartak Moscow supporter
Ivan has promised to take me to meet the leader of one Moscow's most feared Firms.Ivan has promised to take me to meet the leader of one Moscow's most feared Firms.
I am led down a stairway in to a dark basement pub on the Moscow ring road.I am led down a stairway in to a dark basement pub on the Moscow ring road.
Sitting at a table wearing a ski mask is Vasily. His nickname he tells me is "the killer" and he is the leader of the Spartak Moscow Gladiators.Sitting at a table wearing a ski mask is Vasily. His nickname he tells me is "the killer" and he is the leader of the Spartak Moscow Gladiators.
"Russians are the strongest hooligans in Europe. Vasily says, staring straight in to my eyes with a cold gaze."Russians are the strongest hooligans in Europe. Vasily says, staring straight in to my eyes with a cold gaze.
"Against our toughest guys the English don't stand a chance. They're out of practice, they don't know anything about tactics of street fighting. They'll be crushed.""Against our toughest guys the English don't stand a chance. They're out of practice, they don't know anything about tactics of street fighting. They'll be crushed."
Five years ago when Russia lost to Japan in the World Cup angry football fans tore apart the centre of Moscow.Five years ago when Russia lost to Japan in the World Cup angry football fans tore apart the centre of Moscow.
Cars burned, shop windows were smashed. Two people were killed.Cars burned, shop windows were smashed. Two people were killed.
It was the worst football violence ever seen in Russia. The Moscow authorities are determined to make sure there will be no repeat if Russia loses on Wednesday.It was the worst football violence ever seen in Russia. The Moscow authorities are determined to make sure there will be no repeat if Russia loses on Wednesday.