MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian lawmaker has proposed an unorthodox solution to the country’s problems with soccer hooliganism ahead of next year’s World Cup — legalize it and make it a spectator sport.
Organized groups of Russian fans, many with martial arts training, fought English fans on the streets of Marseille during last year’s European Championship.
That inspired Igor Lebedev, who sits in the Russian parliament, to draw up rules for what he calls “draka,” the Russian word for “fight” — 20 fighters on each side, unarmed, in an arena.
In a statement on the website of the nationalist LDPR party, Lebedev said organized brawls “could turn fans’ aggression in a peaceful direction.” He also claimed it would serve as an “example” for English fans, who he characterized as undisciplined louts and poor fighters.
Yikes.
Let's try and evaluate this potential idea.
CONS: 40 drunk and drugged thugs claiming to follow soccer in an enclosure without any police supervision.
PROS: 40 drunk and drugged thugs claiming to follow soccer in an enclosure without any police supervision.
Mix in a dash of the WWE Royal Rumble, a sprinkle of Mortal Kombat, and a pinch of the American Revolution and you have a new national sport.
Better make sure you schedule your bye week properly, Vladimir Koslov is questionable for next week with two broken arms and a shattered pelvis.