BBC documentary explores Russia’s football fan culture

Tonight the BBC will air Russia’s Hooligan Army, a documentary offering a glimpse into Russian football fan culture ahead of millions of international fans travelling to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.

Inspired by the violent clashes between Russian and English supporters at the 2016 European Championships in Marseille, the documentary sees filmmaker Alex Stockley von Statzer travel to Russia to explore what might await fans hoping to travel to the World Cup.

Placing the rise of football-related violence in the context of emergent Russian nationalism, Stockley von Statzer grants viewers rare interviews with members of some of the most notorious hooligan firms, including the Spartak Gladiators and Orel Butchers.

Russia’s Hooligan Army will air tonight on BBC Two at 9pm (GMT). Get a preview here.