Editor's Note: Every supporter has the right to cheer their team at Euro 2012, but the use of communist symbols by some Russian supporters was totally inappropriate and insensitive. It is estimated that nearly two million Poles perished under communism (1919-1989).
It appears that the Russian supporters who marched in Warsaw the other day provoked Polish supporters by wearing communist paraphernalia. This new video shows some Russian fans wearing communist red stars and hammer and sickle emblems. The Poles suffered greatly under Soviet communism in the 20th century. The open display of communist symbols by the Russian fans angered many Polish fans. Initially, when I first heard of the fighting in Warsaw, I thought it was just Polish soccer hooligans randomly beating Russian fans for no reason at all. After watching this video, I can see why the Polish fans reacted the way they did.
It appears that the Russian supporters who marched in Warsaw the other day provoked Polish supporters by wearing communist paraphernalia. This new video shows some Russian fans wearing communist red stars and hammer and sickle emblems. The Poles suffered greatly under Soviet communism in the 20th century. The open display of communist symbols by the Russian fans angered many Polish fans. Initially, when I first heard of the fighting in Warsaw, I thought it was just Polish soccer hooligans randomly beating Russian fans for no reason at all. After watching this video, I can see why the Polish fans reacted the way they did.
István
