Russian lawmaker wants to let football fans fight in 2018 World Cup and turn it into a spectator sport
A RUSSIAN lawmaker wants to legalise football hooliganism and turn it into a spectator sport with 20 fighters on each side going at it in an arena.
Igor Lebedev, who sits in the Russian parliament, has drawn up rules for what he calls “draka” – the Russian word for “fight”.
Russia fans charge at England supporters during Euro 2016Splash NewsFan violence marred Euro 2016 but a Russian lawmaker wants to make it acceptableTimes Newspapers Ltd
And he thinks it will act as an “example” for English football fans, who he characterised as undisciplined louts and poor fighters.
Lebedev hopes the organised mass brawls could turn supporter aggression in a peaceful direction.
The plan comes as Manchester United fans ready themselves to face Rostov – an area renowned for its hooligans – in the Europa League on Thursday.
In a statement on the website of the nationalist LDPR party, he said: “Russia would be a pioneer in a new sport.
One Russian lawmaker wants to see fans be able to fight in large groups without being bothered by policeGetty Images
“English fans arrive, for example, and start picking fights. And they get the answer ‘challenge accepted’. A meeting in a stadium at a set time.”
Shocking violent scenes between clashing Russian and English fans in Marseille marred last year’s European Championship.
Incredibly, Lebedev hailed the bloodshed, telling Russia supporters: “Well done lads, keep it up!”
Bloodshed during Euro 2016 was applauded by Igor LebedevGetty ImagesRussian lawmaker Igor Lebedev wants to legalise fighting for the 2018 World CupTASS
And he is adamant Russian policing means travellers for the 2018 World Cup will not be in danger.
He said: "We've taken all the safety measure, modernised legislation. Not a single tourist has any reason to fear travelling to our country in the summer of 2018."
Some fan groups in Russia already hold fights along similar lines to the proposals.
England fans clashed with Russia supporters during last year's European ChampionshipGetty Images
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They usually arrange mass brawls in quiet, rural locations, away from police.
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