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NUTS
13th-19th August
2004
RUSKIHOOLIGANS
ARE UK BOUND
Ex-hooligan
Cass Pennant investigates
Eastern Europe's Hardest
Firm
|
The most feared hooligan firm in Russia is headed for the UK. On 24 August, CSKA Moscow play Rangers in the return leg of their Champions League qualifier. And Nuts can reveal they'll be bringing their own unique style of hooliganism to Glasgow. "We want to go to Ibrox," one insider with CSKA revealed last week. "About Glasgow we can't tell you anything, but it doesn't matter who we fight. Only hools from Eastern Europe can match us." Well organised and highly disciplined, CSKA can put together a firm of up to 300 hooligans from one of the club's four gangs - The Red Blue Warriors, Yaroslavka, KIDS and the Gallant Steeds. |
Often younger than their British counterparts, CSKA's hooligans are aged between 18 and 25 and are headed up by well-educated hardmen who work as doctors and lawyers during the week. Because of the power of Russia's secret police, each gang is split into smaller cells, which are led by men who are known only by nicknames - Mowgli, for example, is Yaroslavka's top boy, while other generals go under the monikers of Doctor, Hohol and Tartan. Russian hooligans also never fight with weapons. Instead, battles are pre-arranged so that both sides have even numbers. They will then fight until they literally drop. |
Having
already tangled with England fans in Portugal this summer and with Cardiff's
Soul Crew at the Euro 2004 qualifier against Wales, the Ruskis are well
up for Glasgow.
"If Rangers bring a number of hools then we hope they are meeting us," said our source. "For everyone who wants to fight us, it will be our pleasure." |
