Football yobs banned from going to Russia

Fifteen Fylde coast football fans are among 69 across Lancashire to have had their passports confiscated by police as part of a national clampdown on potential violence ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
England fans in Marseille in 2016England fans in Marseille in 2016
England fans in Marseille in 2016

The fans affected are subject to banning orders after being convicted previously of football-related offences and police hope preventing them travelling will help rule out trouble at the games.

But Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley, who was caught up in violence at the last major tournament in which England played – Euro 2016 in France – feels it will ‘make no difference’ and that the key to a trouble-free tournament is better intelligence about the movements of the host country’s supporters.

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Mr Pilley is going to Russia for part of the tournament and hopes there is no repeat of the scenes in Marseille two years ago, when he, his son Jamie and a group of Fleetwood fans were caught up in a melee ahead of England’s 1-1 draw with Russia which left one England fan critically ill in hospital and up to 20 others hurt.

England fans in Marseille in 2016England fans in Marseille in 2016
England fans in Marseille in 2016

Town boss Mr Pilley said: “I was in the stadium with my son Jamie, and I was worried for his welfare. I saw Russians with iron bars and knuckle dusters.

“What happened in the stadium was a disgrace, security was virtually non-existent and there were women and children in there.

“But the England fans were in no way to blame and the criticism of them there was in the media at the time is unfair.

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“I don’t think these banning orders will make any difference to the situation over there.

Fleetwood Town chairman Andy PilleyFleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley
Fleetwood Town chairman Andy Pilley

“The vast majority of England fans are going out there to have a good time and violence involving England fans is very rare indeed these days.

“I think what is key in this tournament is ensuring the best possible intelligence about the movements of the Russian fans.

“What I saw in France were some of the worst scenes in many years of supporting England but I am hopeful lessons will have been learned.”

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AFC Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite was also caught up in the trouble in Marseiile and hopes to travel to Russia if England get through to the last 16.

AFC Fylde chairman David HaythornthwaiteAFC Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite
AFC Fylde chairman David Haythornthwaite

He said: “The trouble in Marseille was a pre-meditated attack on England fans for which the French police weren’t ready.

“Keeping known troublemakers away obviously helps the situation but I am not sure it eradicates the potential for trouble.

“Having travelled to many such tournaments, including South Africa, where we were warned to be especially careful, I have found that if you aren’t looking for trouble you can usually avoid it.

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“I think in Russia, a lot will depend on the actions and attitude of the Russian police and authorities and whether visiting fans will get the necessary protection if any incidents occur.”

Russia 2018Russia 2018
Russia 2018

Fans with a football banning order are not allowed to travel to overseas England matches or to go abroad, unless given an exemption.

Police have also warned anyone involved in football-related anti-social behaviour during the World Cup could receive a banning order.

Supt Julian Platt, of Lancashire Police, said: “In the past there has been a small minority of supporters across the country who have engaged in football related disorder at home and abroad.

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“Lancashire as part of a national response have visited those individuals and removed their passports where we have had the power to do so.

“We will continue to be part of this joined up approach throughout the tournament.”

Fans following the tournament on TV at home are also being urged by the police to not get carried away in the heat of the moment as England bid for World Cup success for the first time in 52 years.

As part of a concerted campaign on possible disorder during the World Cup, posters and banners are highlighting three key areas of crime that are often associated with major sporting tournaments – domestic abuse, alcohol related violence and drink or drug driving.

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Supt Platt added: “We want people to enjoy the World Cup responsibly and the vast majority of people will do that.

“But I want to reassure our communities that any crime linked with the World Cup, be that domestic abuse, alcohol-induced violence or drink or drug driving will simply not be tolerated.

“We understand that people will want to drink alcohol while watching the games but we would urge people to drink responsibly and of course drinking or taking drugs when driving is unacceptable.

“We will continue to carry out regular enforcement activity and take action against those who continue to break the law.”