LONDON: The Football Banning Orders Authority (FBOA), a part of UK’s Home Office, has banned 1,254 local football hooligans from travelling to Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
“More than 1,200 troublemakers with a history of football-related disorder have been blocked from going to the World Cup after a joint operation by police and the Home Office,” a statement released by UK’s Home Office said.
“The Football – part of the Home Office – ordered 1,312 banned individuals who hold a passport to surrender it to police on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June.”
“The latest figures released today (Wednesday 13 June) show that forces in England and Wales have accounted for 1,254 passports… Police will hold the passports until the World Cup final on 15 July.”
Minister for policing and the fire service Nick Hurdwas commented on the security measures adopted by the UK. “The World Cup is a festival of football and is no place for violence or disorder.”
“The UK’s system of football banning orders is unique and means that people intent on causing trouble in Russia will instead be staying at home.”
“I’m grateful to police forces for taking the necessary enforcement action to ensure that these thugs won’t be able to ruin the tournament for real fans.”
British newspaper Daily Star had reported in May in an article titled ‘England hooligan firms’ hardcore uniting to ‘wipe the floor’ with Russian Ultras’ in which their potential threat to disrupt the World Cup was referred to creating a “World War Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven.”
Last week, first deputy chief of the Russian interior ministry’s Department for Security of Large International and Mass Sports Events Police Major-General, Anton Gusev had confirmed that six UK law-enforcement officers will be in charge of providing security measures during the marquee event which begins Thursday.
England are placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Panama and Tunisia and are considered to be one of the dark horses this time around.
