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Chelsea Fans Only Riot Around English Police

May 22, 2008 – 11:50 AM
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David J. Warner

David J. Warner %BloggerTitle%



All those fears of English soccer fans starting trouble in Moscow during the Champions League Final were unfounded. None of the 40,000 fans at the big game were arrested or detained, and the heavy police presence ensured a lack of trouble.

Alas, that was not the case back in London, where Chelsea fans took out their frustrations on local riot police by throwing bottles at them and causing other such mayhem. 13 people were arrested, and one was cited drunk driving and "grievous bodily harm" for running over a dude's leg.

Clearly, these fans are smart enough to know the difference between English cops and Russian cops -- namely, one has a baton and the other has a Kalashnikov. Plus, an arrest in England leads to a citation and fine, while an arrest in Russia leads to a trip to Siberia. Big difference there. Rioting is easier to do when the consequences aren't so severe.
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