FA fears repeat of Euro 2016 hooliganism ahead of World Cup in Russia

FA fears repeat of Euro 2016 hooliganism at World Cup in Russia
England and Russia fans clashed in Marseille last summer Credit: Reuters

The Football Association has admitted there could be a repeat of the hooliganism that marred England’s European Championship campaign amid growing fears over fan behaviour at next year’s World Cup in Russia.

The threat of supporter disorder was identified by the FA as one of the “principle risks and uncertainties” for the coming season in its annual report for the 2015-16 campaign, the end of which saw Three Lions fans riot at Euro 2016 and endure brutal beatings at the hands of Russian thugs.

The FA warned a repeat of the ugly scenes in Marseille and Lille, which almost got both England and Russia expelled from the tournament, could also hit it in the pocket in terms of future sponsorship and broadcast revenue.

Its annual report was published on the same day as the BBC aired a chilling documentary in which Russian hooligans warn the 2018 World Cup will be another “festival of violence”.

The FA report reads: “The behaviour of a small number of England supporters at the Uefa Euro 2016 tournament led to widespread negative media coverage.

“Whilst the majority of the football community has moved on from the dark days of football hooliganism, the antisocial behaviour of some England fans whilst supporting England both at home and overseas may cause reputational damage to the FA.

“This in turn impacts the FA’s commercial appeal to sponsors and broadcast partners alongside receiving sanctions and fines from Fifa and Uefa.

“Therefore, due to the adverse impact this may have on the FA, we have included this as an additional principle risk in the coming season.”

The FA’s fears have already proven to be well-founded, with November’s first World Cup meeting between England and Scotland marred by Armistice Day clashes inside and outside Wembley.

Russian hooligans are hoping for more violence at the World Cup
Russian hooligans are hoping for more violence at the World Cup Credit: Julian Simmonds

Two men were arrested and several were left injured at Trafalgar Square, and at least one fan was ejected from the match itself, as supporters ignored pleas to show restraint out of respect to the fallen before and during the historic game.

Trouble flared in the England end as the hosts cruised to a 3-0 win, leaving one spectator covered in blood, while another appeared to have his eyes gouged.

The sides meet again at Hampden Park in June, while England also play their other arch-rivals, Germany, in Dortmund next month.

Thursday night’s BBC documentary, Russia’s Hooligan Army, did nothing to allay fears of further violent clashes at the World Cup itself.

However, the threat was dismissed by the president of Fifa amid a crackdown on football-related violence by Russian authorities.

Gianni Infantino  said: “I’m not concerned about trouble and violence in 2018. I have full confidence in Russian authorities. They are taking this matter very, very seriously.”

The FA’s admission that hooliganism was a clear and present danger to its income came in an annual report that also revealed it had been overtaken by the Rugby Football Union as the country’s biggest money-making national governing body.

Its turnover of £369.7m was still a record and it should reclaim top spot from the RFU (£407.1m) this season, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup having almost doubled the latter’s revenue.

The FA also returned to profit last season, making £7m following a £9m loss during the previous campaign.

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