Media Monster

Russian Fans Throw Flares Onto A Soccer Pitch, Making FIFA Look Bad (Video)

An already bad week for FIFA just got worse, as a Champions League match between Spartak Moscow and Zilina had to be stopped for 20 minutes yesterday because of the raucous Russian fans you can see above. Spartak fans, who traveled to Slovenia, were lighting flares and wreaking havoc at the game–which is actually not an unusual occurrence at European soccer matches.

They took it too far, though, when they threw flares onto the actual pitch, endangering the players and referees. A week ago, a die-hard Spartak fan was murdered in Russia, a crime that may or may not been induced by his ties to Spartak. This does not speak well for the state of soccer in Russia.

Fans all across Europe are intense about soccer and the intensity translates to violence at times, which is unfortunately pretty much unavoidable. It happened at the World Cup, and it will continue to happen throughout Europe, thanks to alcohol and animosity.

Of course, these acts come just a week after FIFA’s announcement that Russia will be hosting the 2018 World Cup, and in the wake of allegations of corruption and bribery within that decision. And it’s worth pointing out that one reason England did not earn the bid to host the Cup is because of their own violent fans, as portrayed in Green Street Hooligans.

More of a fuss has been made over Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup, because of its Middle Eastern location, tiny size, and searing temperatures. But safety in Russia (the stadiums, however, look incredible) is clearly the more immediate concern for FIFA (relatively speaking). The naysayers will talk of these recent incidents as an example of Russia being a poor choice.

But I’ve been to a very testy Champions League game. The emotion and fervor at these games is palpable and makes it unlike any other sporting event. It’s safe to assume the World Cup takes this enthusiasm to the next level. And it’s pretty much impossible to stop it from occurring. Like Peyton Hillis, you can only pray to contain it.

[h/t 101 Great Goals]