MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
British fans travelling to the Cup in Brazil warned about 'Argentine gangs'
The Argentine 'barrabravas' or hooligans don't have the best of reputations If the recent protests and demonstrations across Brazil prior to the World Cup are any indication of the domestic and public violence that is expected to happen, fans, of all nationalities must be cautious, as the Brazilian military police has warned.
Specifically, and somewhat surprisingly, they have warned fans of the United Kingdom of Argentine gangs that will be travelling to Brazil as soon as the World Cup begins.
Brazilian police counterparts told deputy chief constable of Britain, Andy Holt, to be careful of Argentine fanatics “given [their] shared history.”
This “shared history” while bluntly put, is most evidently referring to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) War in 1982 — in which the Argentine Army was defeated by the British during an invasion to claim the disputed territory.
As for if this is actually a concern for UK travelers, Holt said “Certainly it was a concern raised to us by the Brazilian authorities when we were out there that, given the shared history we thought that would not be a confrontation we would welcome and we will do all we can to avoid it.‘
To facilitate an easy integration between fans of all nations, the UK is sending six officers for the purpose of “cultural integration.” Additionally, the Football Supporters’ Federation has also instituted a text message alert system, that will relay information of potentially dangerous places in the desired cities for British fans.
Top Comments
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Read all comments“they have warned fans of the United Kingdom”
May 24th, 2014 - 07:39 am 0The UK has a team? News to me! I know about England having qulified but this apparent restructuring is a new one!
If we were worried about countries we had wars with, we wouldn't be able to go any fucking where :-)
May 24th, 2014 - 07:51 am 0This venue just gets better and better and better!
May 24th, 2014 - 08:11 am 0Wasn't there a story about their court banning the sharing of criminal intelligence on some of these soccer gangs? Protecting their rights?
Oh and by the way there is no British Police Force, there are however some 40 odd regional and metropolitan forces, Andy Holt is an officer in one of them, London Metropolitan Police. Easy mistake to make.
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