England fans are snubbing World Cup in droves over fears of violence from Russian yobs
Organisers believe this summer will see the lowest turn-out by the Three Lions army in years, with only 10,000 England fans believed to be heading to Russia
ENGLAND fans are snubbing the World Cup in droves over fears of violence from Russian yobs.
Only about 10,000 will be travelling to the tournament in Russia this summer.
That is around half the number who went to Brazil in 2014, where the team failed to make the knock-out stages as Germany went on to triumph.
With under four months to go, organisers believe it will be the lowest turn-out by the Three Lions army in many years.
Russian diplomatic sources say visa applications from the UK have barely hit 10,000.
Demand for tickets has also been poor. England were the fifth-best supported team in Brazil but have slumped to a dismal 20th in the sales league table this time around.
Officials believe many fans are staying away following reports that gangs of Russian “ultras” are lying in wait for them.
Others are put off by sky-high prices for run-down flats and no-star hotels in cities where Gareth Southgate’s men will play.
A Whitehall insider said: “For many, a mixture of Russian hooligans, heavy-handed police and the possibility of being ripped off have all played a part in the decision to stay at home.”
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England fans were targeted by tooled-up Russian hooligans at the countries’ Euro 2016 clash in Marseille, France.
Two were left fighting for life and fans will be wary of being hugely outnumbered by gangs on their own turf.
Senior cop Mark Roberts, who co-ordinated Britain’s Euro 2016 policing operation, warned last October they were in danger of “extreme violence”.