World Cup 2018: Smoking in public, swearing and drinking — the offences England fans should avoid in Russia

Between 7,000 and 10,000 England supporters are expected to travel to Russia for the 2018 World Cup, with a major security operation currently underway.

Police have issued travelling fans with a guide to “sensitive sites” in the city of Volgograd, which stages England’s opening Group G match against Tunisia, while football policing lead Mark Roberts this week warned that acts of disorder carry “severe” sentences in Russia.

“Don't assume an offence will be dealt with like in the UK,” he told the BBC. “The punishments could be far more severe.”

Although Roberts said that he is “confident” the event will pass without serious incident – adding that the Russian authorities have provided assurances a “safe” tournament will play out – the behaviour of English supporters in the Netherlands has raised concerns.

Ninety fans who had travelled to watch a friendly between the two nations were arrested in Amsterdam, with riot police detaining 60 people in the red light district for “disturbing the peace”.

Police are thought to be cautiously optimistic that the high cost of travelling to Russia – not to mention stringent visa requirements and football banning orders – will mean there is no repeat of the either events in the Netherlands or at Euro 2016, when two England fans were left seriously injured after violent clashes with Russian supporters in Marseille.

But English fans could still fall foul of a series of little-known Russian laws which carry varying degrees of punishment. Drinking in public places is forbidden, while same sex couples are unable to hold hands, hug or kiss in public.

Here are seven offences which travelling supporters are likely to be briefed on prior to flying to the country.

1. Smoking within 15 meters of any kind of public transport, schools, shops or outdoor seating. This offence could see you being fined up to £100 on the spot.

2. British football fans may have to watch out as being drunk in public carries a fine of £50.

3. Drinking outside a bar or restaurant after 11pm, or drinking in public places including busses and trains could end up costing you £100.

4. Buying, selling or giving alcohol to minors may not only come with a fine but it could result in you spending a night locked away.

5. For same sex couples, refrain from holding hands, hug or kiss in public as the Police are likely to treat this behaviour as propaganda for minors, which is illegal and high fines applies. The same goes for waving, or wearing, any rainbow flags in public.

6. Some swear words including Suka, Blyat and Pizda are illegal to say in public and you’ll be fined on the spot. Using English swearwords is also frowned upon.

7. Any loud noise including music must be off between the hours of 11pm – 7am. Disobeying this and you may be in serious trouble as fines could make you a few hundred pounds worse off.

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