It has been six day since the death of Yegor Sviridov after he and a group of others got into a physical confrontation with a man from the North Caucasus region resulting in the death of Sviridov who was only 28. Since then, the renowned clubs Ultra supporters have shown an outcry of support for their fallen brother taking to the streets, the stands, and just about anywhere else.
The suspected man who shot Sviriodv with 4 rubber bullets has been detained and claims he has the paperwork to allow him to carry the gun. It started first on Tuesday when a group of 1,000 fans gathered on a busy street in Moscow blocking traffic en route to a city airport.
Joined by Nationalist supporters (who will jump on any event to get their message heard) the group caused delays that plagued the city’s drivers for up to five hours on their evening commute. Once police arrived no arrests were made despite obvious chants heard in the video below of “Russians all the way” a chant popular among right-wing nationalists.
On Wednesday, Spartak took the field for their last Champions League match in Slovakia against MŠK Žilina where they would win 2-1. The match however was abandoned just minutes in when the traveling fans threw flares and other objects onto the field causing the players to plead with them. A number of fans made their way to the pitch once players were called to their respective locker-rooms. Those videos here:
After 20 minutes the match was restarted and the game would continue without anymore stops despite flares making it nearly impossible to see half the pitch in the waning minutes of the match. Spartak could face penalty for the actions of their fans if UEFA or FIFA opt to get involved.
Rumors of possible disqualification in their upcoming Europa League games are said to be the biggest punishment the team could face. Other options are for the team to play behind closed doors as has been done in the past by UEFA.
Earlier today in Moscow, more fans and nationalists alike gathered at the Manege outside of the Red Square where they clashed with riot police as they continue to call for a thorough investigation. 65 arrests where made and only 3 of the countless people were reported injured. Seen here:
Tensions have also began to rise in the country’s unofficial second capital St.Petersburg where protests and arrested mimic those in Moscow. In what appears to be a case of xenophobic Moscow youth attacking a man based strictly on his ethnicity has exploded to international attention both on the soccer field and headlines across the world.
These acts of violence and hooliganism come only a week after Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup where critics already have spoken out against the countries violent fans and their intolerance to other races. What will happen if the court rules in favor of the man who was attacked? Only time will tell and hopefully the country’s reputation or soccer does not suffer because of it.
