MANCHESTER UNITED fans travelling to Rostov in the Europa League last 16 may face violent hooligans who admit to targeting English fans.
Having overcome Saint-Etienne, Jose Mourinho’s side were drawn out of the hat against the Russian top flight side who came through against Sparta Prague in the last round.
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But just last week, a BBC documentary “Russia’s Hooligan Army” travelled to the Rostov-on-Don, close to the Ukrainian border to meet hooligans who treat football violence as a way of life.
The show met a hooligan from Rostov on the banks of the river Don with the backdrop of the new 45,000 seater Rostov Arena, which will host some World Cup games.
The balaclava-clad fan admitted they target English fans: “Everyone from the fans movement is looking forward to the World Cup taking place in Russia.
“Our opponents are naturally the English because they are the forefathers of hooliganism and naturally they are always awaited.
“If you are there you should calculate getting your arse kicked.
“There is no need to travel to have fun. There is a stretch of forest next to the stadium. It’s adjacent to the stadium so people can hide in the forest, go for a swim and arrange ambushes.
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“They can basically do anything they like to do. For some it will be a festival of football — for others it will be a festival of violence.”
The show also met some some FC Rostov supporters who were training in a gym, older members of the firm working younger ones into the ground with rigorous exercises.
One of the fans, balaclava-clad, describes them having a Russian "style" of fighting that was characterised by meeting opponents in packs and beating people senseless.
He went on to describe how they wanted to create a different perception of Russian masculinity, of being warriors who fight for their family and people, rather than who sit around drinking vodka.
Later in the show, the young recruits into woods for an organised fight against a rival team's firm, where many were badly beaten up - all with the aim of initiating the cadets into their firm.
It came after England fans in Marseille during the Euros ahead of the two countries meeting were ambushed by an army of Russian hooligans, including Rostov fans - leaving many injured.
United fans will be visiting the city on March 9 and will have to guard against any possible problems - with the return leg the following week on the 16th when Russian fans will be descending on Manchester city centre.
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