Global football violence, particularly the World Cup encounter between England and Serbia, is more unsettling than any other incident of hooliganism witnessed worldwide
In the world of football, the upcoming England vs. Serbia match on Tuesday evening is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated and potentially volatile games of the year. The match, which will take place at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade, has been declared as "high risk" by authorities due to the history of fan violence associated with both teams.
Last summer, the worst violence involving England fans at the Euros in Germany erupted before the first game against Serbia in the city of Gelsenkirchen. The attack, which occurred outside an Irish pub, targeted Aston Villa fans by a large gang of PSG Ultras, a notorious Serbian fan group known for scenes of football hooliganism and violence.
The Ultras are closely allied with Serbia's hardline rulers and have maintained links with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin. In fact, Ivan "The Terrible" Bogdanov, a prominent member of the Ultras, was involved in an attack on his own team's bus before a Euro 2012 qualifier in Genoa, Italy. Bogdanov was jailed after being caught with wire cutters and a flaming flare.
The attackers in this year's incident were described as being extremely well-organized, with the violence involving throwing glasses, chairs, and fist fights. The police did not arrive in time to make any arrests of the attackers, leading to a tense and chaotic atmosphere around the city.
In an effort to maintain safety, England fans have been advised to stay together in groups in the main squares and tourist areas of Belgrade, and to use buses provided for transportation to the stadium. A booze ban will not be enforced in the city, but alcohol will not be sold in the arena or nearby outlets.
Despite the tensions, the atmosphere at the match is expected to be electric. The Rajko Mitic Stadium will host 51,755 fans, with a "Welcome to Hell" atmosphere promised, complete with flares blazing and fan fervor. Planning meetings have been held between a UK police team and Serbian security chiefs to ensure fan safety.
England's players, led by captain Harry Kane, will face one of the longest and most intimidating tunnel walks in world football to reach the pitch. Despite the challenges, the team is focused on the game and determined to put on a strong performance.
As the match approaches, authorities are urging fans to remain vigilant and to avoid any confrontations. The search results do not contain specific names of Ultras leaders connected closely with hardline Serbian government officials and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin who might be involved in the match on Tuesday evening. Regardless, the potential for violence remains a concern, and fans are encouraged to prioritize their safety and the safety of those around them.
