With #Liverpool and #Manchester United both preparing themselves for battle in the #Champions League against Spartak Moscow and CSKA Moscow on Tuesday and Wednesday evening respectively, the head of the Russian Football Union's security committee Vladimir Markin has issued a warning to the fans of the two Premier League giants to behave themselves during their visit to the country's capital or incur a "suitable punishment".
đź“ą The work towards Moscow began at Melwood... pic.twitter.com/8mX1fkFfAr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 25 September 2017
Punishment
For anyone who is found guilty of breaching the peace and indeed breaking the law, a "long stay" in Russia awaits the perpetrators, a loaded statement which will surely prove to be a worthy deterrent for any aspiring troublemaker who is destined to follow their club across Europe.
Markin insisted that he did not want to "scare" anyone from visiting, although the law does apply to everyone in attendance.
Markin then proceeded to outline the severity of the punishment which awaits the arrested, and although Russian nationals have been earmarked, it's perceived that Russian officials will have their eyes peeled for English louts especially. Those who are collared could then spend time in conditions which they may not "like".
Scrutiny
Russia will host next summer's #World Cup, and in the bid to stamp out volatile behaviour from the spectators, the Russian authorities are being monitored very closely by the game's governing bodies to ensure that they are implementing the correct measures needed in order to do so.
Both Spartak and CSKA have been faced with problems of their own previously from their own fans, however. Liverpool's opponents were fined 60,000-euros by UEFA along with their fans being banned from attending their next away European tie after a flare was fired towards the referee during the club's 1-1 draw with Maribor in Slovenia.
ICYMI - the lads flew out to Russia earlier today ahead of Wednesday's #UCL meeting with CSKA Moscow: https://t.co/7QM0pLF5Aw pic.twitter.com/9MYKYcWUkF
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) 25 September 2017
Safety
Both the Reds and the Red Devils have subsequently advised their fans not to don club colours on the streets of Moscow to prioritise their own personal safety; the English outfits have also suggested that the supporters avoid travelling alone.
Both of the Russian Premier League teams harbour infamous ultras firms, which are equipped with trained and dangerous individuals who are wired to fight - the destructive organisation of Russian fans which was demonstrated in the 2016 Euro Championship in France being an unwelcome reminder of their systematic approach to combat.