Warm welcome: Russian fans under attack in Poland

Get short URL

Published time: June 12, 2012 11:57
Edited time: June 12, 2012 16:06

A group of Russian football fans was severely beaten in Warsaw ahead of their national team’s clash with Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland.

­According to ITAR-TASS news agency, the victims of the assault contacted the Russian consulate after the incident, which occurred in front of their hotel in the Targowek district of the Polish capital on Monday night.

“About 20 people approached us and asked something in Polish, but we replied that we didn’t understand them. Immediately after that, they started destroying our car and beating us up,” one of the Russian supporters, who decided not to reveal his identity, said.

"It wasn’t a fight, but simply a massacre,” he added.  

The local police confirmed that the attack took place, while doctors who examined the fans informed that they were lucky to avoid serious injuries.

“The medics worked with us, took X-rays,” the man informed. “Fortunately, everybody’s fine. Heavily beaten, but fine.”

According to the fans, they did nothing to provoke the assault and had no Russian symbols with them.

"We came to cheer for the Russian team. We don’t have tickets, but we wanted to try buying them at the entrance to the stadium. But now we have no desire to go outside," the supporter concluded.

The bad behavior of some Russian hooligans, who are blamed for throwing fireworks on the pitch and staging a brawl with stewards after their team’s 4-1 against Czech Republic, simply had to backfire.  

Group A leaders Russia will take on co-hosts Poland on Tuesday night, knowing a win would assure their playoff qualification.