The Russian soccer hooligans who have fought with rival supporters at the European Championship in France have at various times been both an asset and a liability to the Russian authorities. When Russian hooligans fought with English fans in the city of Marseille on Saturday and then attacked them inside the stadium, the response in Russia was mixed. When French authorities arrested Shprygin and dozens of other Russian fans Tuesday in an investigation following Saturday's violence, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the French ambassador for an official protest, warning that France was stoking "anti-Russian" feeling. Hardcore fan groups, which include some hooligans, can benefit from "unofficial support and approval" from the authorities, says Dzichkovsky. Many hardcore fans hold nationalist views and are strong supporters of Russia's foreign policy in the Ukraine crisis.

Source: Fox News June 15, 2016 22:07 UTC