World Cup - part 2

[sidders]

It seems unlikely that governments are going to call for their national teams to withdraw from this year's competition but even so there is the prospect of serious problems ahead.
(1) Small fry compared with what might happen, but the racist taunting in St Petersburg last week is likely to be repeated all over the country. African countries in particular are in for a hard time. Will FIFA prove as ineffectual in preventing this as it has done thus far? How do you curb such racism in a hosting country?
(2) Visiting fans are likely to be a target of aggression, probably on an industrial scale. Are the Russian police likely to give their all in controlling the situation?
(3) Putin is in charge. How will be use the platform that FIFA has given him in order to wave two fingers at the world?
(4) The Russian team is mediocre so any hopes that home fans had of their national pride being restored through the performances of their team are remote. How will their frustration be expressed?
(5) With Russia's diplomatic isolation, it is likely that numbers of fans prepared to travel will be way down on expectations. This will effect match atmosphere and overall takings.

[LaxtonLad]

The world's media and all football supporters will be, or should be, delighted if this tournament is a total failure but I think the early exit of the Russian team, the half-empty stadia and the thuggish Russian fans will see to that.

The paper tiger that is FIFA has a chance to redeem itself as a body to be taken seriously by jumping down hard - very hard - on all cases of racial abuse on or off the field, bribery or corruption of officials, organised violence or that old Russian favourite, dope-taking.

Like you sidders, I can't see any team being withdrawn by their government - yet, but I think it will only take one major incident caused by Putin's minions for the first country to pull out and the majority will follow.

[upthemaggies]

In relation to racism and violence, exactly the same things were being said ahead of Euro 2012 in Ukraine where they have proper Nazis (who are now in government, with British and US support), I remember Sol Campbell on Panorama saying people shouldn't go there.
After what Boris Johnson has said, and the timing of the expulsions a day after the shopping center fire, it probably would be a bad idea for English fans to go there now. I doubt supporters of any other nation will be attacked aside from Germany, but it's always the same countries that cause trouble at all tournaments and this one won't be any different. We clearly still have a problem, see Amsterdam.

[Bohinen]

We clearly still have a problem, see Amsterdam.

We have a problem with drunken behaviour, but not with determined and often sober attempts to maim and kill like some other countries, most especially Russia. We used to in the 80s, but not now. And any weekend in Amsterdam, you'll find drunken Brits on the street.

My bet is the worst trouble will involve the Poles, who don't like the Russians and have a similar set of supporters actually trained to fight. England fans will be ambushed and some might get badly hurt, but they won't be involved in pitched battles.

[upthemaggies]

We have a problem with drunken behaviour, but not with determined and often sober attempts to maim and kill like some other countries, most especially Russia. We used to in the 80s, but not now. And any weekend in Amsterdam, you'll find drunken Brits on the street.

My bet is the worst trouble will involve the Poles, who don't like the Russians and have a similar set of supporters actually trained to fight. England fans will be ambushed and some might get badly hurt, but they won't be involved in pitched battles.

Poland are the team England are most likely to face in the last 16, assuming Belgium finish top, which could lead to problems back home also, although that fixture would be on a Tuesday night (much less problematic than a weekend).

The Dutch didn't qualify, so that's one less potential trouble maker to worry about. My biggest fear would be a terrorist attack, particularly as the west are now apparently on the same side as ISIS, the US in particular will be desperate to see this tournament ruined - they won't exactly be passing on any intelligence to counter such a move. Only in the last few days the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has reminded us that his kingdom, after being asked by its allies during the Cold War, invested in mosques for the spread of Wahhabism to counter Soviet influence.

[irish_pie]

It seems unlikely that governments are going to call for their national teams to withdraw from this year's competition but even so there is the prospect of serious problems ahead.
(1) Small fry compared with what might happen, but the racist taunting in St Petersburg last week is likely to be repeated all over the country. African countries in particular are in for a hard time. Will FIFA prove as ineffectual in preventing this as it has done thus far? How do you curb such racism in a hosting country?
(2) Visiting fans are likely to be a target of aggression, probably on an industrial scale. Are the Russian police likely to give their all in controlling the situation?
(3) Putin is in charge. How will be use the platform that FIFA has given him in order to wave two fingers at the world?
(4) The Russian team is mediocre so any hopes that home fans had of their national pride being restored through the performances of their team are remote. How will their frustration be expressed?
(5) With Russia's diplomatic isolation, it is likely that numbers of fans prepared to travel will be way down on expectations. This will effect match atmosphere and overall takings.

Good post Sidders... you brought up a lot of valid points here... I think that anybody that goes over there to support their nation is doing so at a considerable risk to their health... I fully expect many group games to be played in near empty stadiums which might give FIFA the kick in the butt they need... On the other hand it could go swimmingly and it could be an amazing World Cup but I would not hold my breath...