September 23 – Leading Russian club CSKA Moscow are poised to introduce banning orders and take legal action to stop continued violence by their fans in European games “pushing us over the edge,” according to general director Roman Babayev.
Russian supporters fought running battles with Roma fans and clashed with police at last week’s Champions League fixture against in the Italian capital – 13 stewards and four police officers were injured – while last season CSKA Moscow fans were found guilty of racist chants during matches against Manchester City and Viktoria Plzen.
Constant bursts of hooliganism by Russian fans are furthering damaging the image of the country just at a time when many are questioning whether it should be allowed to stage the 2018 World Cup, albeit for other reasons.
“We are actively working with our supporters, and we are seeing the results in Russia, as our fans have practically stopped using flares at games,” Babayev told Reuters. “However, these agreements are not working during European matches. The supporters are being too emotional and are wanting to prove a point.”
CSKA will play their first home Champions League match this season against Bayern Munich on September 30 behind closed doors as punishment for their fans’ behaviour last season.
“The situation has become critical in recent times,” Babayev said. ” What happened in Rome was just unacceptable. This is a massive problem. We are expecting to be seriously punished by UEFA.”
“We have to introduce tougher measures, which would include banning orders from matches and opening criminal cases against those who cause trouble.”
“We can’t close the mouths of 20,000 fans but we can take steps in order that such things will not happen. We are already standing at the brink. I hope our fans will not push us over the edge.”
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