World Cup - part 2

[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.