Andrey Lugovoy, the former Russian intelligence agent wanted in Britain for the alleged murder of Aleksandr Litvenenko, is probably the last man you would expect to see cheering amongst a crowd of English football fans. But Lugovoi and his son will be in
Lugovoy, who is now a member of the Russian parliament, is a big fan of English football. In late 2006 during his last trip to London, he visited Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium on the very day he met with Russian dissident Litvenenko, allegedly leaving a trail of radioactive polonium-260 behind him. A Chelsea supporter, Lugovoy is very enthusiastic about the match. “Two English teams playing in front of a Russian public. Marvellous!” he said in an interview with the Guardian newspaper. The billionaire owner of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich, will also be at the game, as his team takes on Manchester United for the Champions League title. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Vladimir Putin, however, will not be attending. Britain still wants Lugovoy extradited for his alleged role in the death of Aleksandr Litvenenko. Russia has repeatedly refused the request, citing its constitution which forbids extradition.