Mustaches, silly songs defuse tensions at Russia's World Cup

By: The Associated Press

Wednesday, June 13, 2018 6:42 AM

MOSCOW (AP) Russia's national soccer team is so bad that even the ruthless leader of Chechnya couldn't coach it to victory at least according to a satirical song buzzing around Russian social networks ahead of the World Cup.

Russians are turning to parody to defuse tensions around the event, which kicks off Thursday in Moscow with much at stake for President Vladimir Putin and his proud nation.

The favored target is mustachioed Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov. A tongue-in-cheek online campaign appeals to Russians to post images of themselves wearing mustaches as a show of support.

A clip by singer Semyon Slepakov imagines replacing the coach with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, but predicts even he would be overwhelmed by the task.

The parodies conceal a deep-down hope that the Cup is success and a fear that something could go wrong.

Mustaches, silly songs defuse tensions at Russia's World Cup

Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov arrives at the official training session of the Russian team one the eve of the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

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A statue of Lenin stands outside the stadium after the official training session of the Russian team one the eve of the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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A boy jumps into the black sea in front of the Fisht stadium, which will host some 2018 World Cup matches in Sochi, Russia, Monday, June 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

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The official mascot Zabivaka stands wrapped outside the stadium after the official training session of the Russian team one the eve of the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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Colorfully painted advertising cows stand outside the stadium after the official training session of the Russian team one the eve of the group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at the 2018 soccer World Cup at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

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South Korean soccer fans hold soccer ball-shaped balloons upon South Korea's national soccer team's arrival at the team hotel for the 2018 soccer World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia, Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

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Fans take pictures of Brazil's Neymar as he leaves a training session in Sochi, Russia, Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Brazil will face Switzerland on June 17 in the group E for the soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

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