Russian Ultras’ World Cup uniform: Chilling t-shirts go on sale promising bloodshed
WITH two months to go to the World Cup, Russia has launched its sinister hooligan fashions for the contest Vladimir Putin is hosting.
Hooligan t-shirts sold by ‘Vympel & Meteor’ clothing shop
Kremlin security officials have vowed to crackdown hard on troublemakers to prevent a repeat of the ugly Battle of Marseilles between Russian and English supporters at Euro-2016 — but ultra fans are getting kitted out to show foreign visitors they mean business.
One T-shirt with a skull and crossbones emblem warns in English: “Our courage – your trouble”.
The makers say this “completely reflects balance of power” at the coming World Cup which will be held at a dozen venues in 11 cities with the final in Moscow.
This somewhat masks the other message on the T-shirt or sweatshirt: “Welcome World Cup Russia 2018.”
Writing on hooligan t-shirt, left, reads: ‘Are you gangsters? No, we are Russians.’
Another design shows a hooded ultra fan surrounded by riot police.
The message is “Guess Who – Alright Russian Hooligans”.
One more unofficial shirt now on sale on the web in Russia is a mock up of England’s – and Moscow’s – patron saint St George slaying the dragon.
The slogan reads: “Moscow Ultraviolence”.
The t-shirt depicting a bear holding a knife reads: ‘Russian nature’
Again the wording is in English not Russian at a time of huge tension between Moscow and London over the Salisbury chemical weapon attack.
The design is linked to violent cult film A Clockwork Orange, boast the makers.
These are all from a brand called Unsporting Conduct, which markets itself to “okolofutbol” – or “near football” – devotees, including hooligans.
T-shirts sell for 1,400 roubles or £16 and sweatshirts for 2,800 roubles – £32.