UEFA threatens to kick Russia out of "Euro 2016", a fine of 150 thousand euros and numerous injured English fans, some of whom were near death. This is the price paid for the desire of Russian football hooligans to cause riots and incite unrest in France - initially they rioted in Marseille, then started the same upon arriving in Lille.
"Independent" journalist Kim Sengupta spoke with a young fan of the Russian national football team Nikolai, who shared more details about the preparedness of Russian hooligans - they are not just ordinary fans who go to matches after drinking alcohol.
He was a volunteer in the separatist forces in Ukraine - here he did not fight, but took care of the wounded. At least that's what he claims, along with the fact that he came to France just to watch football.
"They want to deport not 29 people, as announced, but more than fifty. Including women. If they are chasing hooligans, I don't think they are targeting those people who should be", Nikolai believes.
The young Russian is not quick to judge his compatriots, although he agrees that many of them behave overly aggressively and the events in Marseille should not have happened.
"But the same applies to the English or fans of other countries. During the previous European Championship in Warsaw, we were attacked by Poles - there were many victims, but no one talked about it", he recalled the four-year-old incident.
Nikolai does not want to engage in a detailed conversation with the "Independent" journalist - the young man is convinced that the English press wants to portray Russians as animals.
He does not belong to any organized football fan group, but knows a lot about them. Nikolai does not seem like many hooligans. Although he is physically fit, he does not resemble those Russians who caused unrest in Marseille and appeared pumped with steroids.
"You in the West do not know this, but the Russian government is strong in the fight against hooligans - there are almost no fights in stadiums or the city. Fights are organized elsewhere, for example in forests.
The hooligans are preparing for this - they practice boxing, martial arts. That's why they can attack organized and from hidden places," he said.
"In Marseille, Russians met the English on the street - that's how troubles start. The French should have explained in detail how belligerent fans behave.
The media also made a mistake - they called everyone "ultras", but real fighters do not call themselves that. They generally don't call themselves anything at all. "Ultras" just sometimes march and scream a lot", Nikolai clarified.
However, it seems that the returning hooligans will not face any punishment in their homeland, although Nikolai insists there is a tough fight against them within the country. This conclusion can be drawn after certain statements by Russian politicians in the public space.
"They were surprised to see a real man who looks like a man should. They are used to seeing only "men" at gay pride parades", "Twitter" quoted the representative of the Russian Investigative Committee Vladimir Markin, responding to criticism that Russian fans arrived ready to fight.
Meanwhile, the hooligans themselves eagerly share videos on social networks, brag about fights, and post photos.
"Those who boast are not the most dangerous. The most dangerous fighters are quiet and try to make sure no one recognizes their faces", Nikolai believes.
lrytas.lt
