And finally… own goal

Last year organised groups of Russian fans deployed with military precision to fight English supporters on the streets of Marseille during the European Championship.

Now right wing MP Igor Lebedev, the deputy speaker of the Parliament who also sits on the board of the Russian Fooball Union, wants to draw up rules for what he calls “draka” contests —- draka being the Russian word for “fight” with 20 fighters on each side, unarmed, in an arena.

In a statement on the website of the nationalist LDPR party, Mr Lebedev said organised brawls “could turn fans’ aggression in a peaceful direction”.

He also claimed it would serve as an “example” for English fans, whom he deprecated as undisciplined louts and poor fighters.

Mr Lebedev predicted that huge crowds would be attracted to view the punch ups: “Russia would be a pioneer in a new sport. English fans arrive, for example, and start picking fights. And they get the answer – challenge accepted. A meeting in a stadium at a set time.”

Mr Lebedev hailed the violence in Marseille last year, telling Russian fans: “Well done lads, keep it up!”