Police chiefs have warned England fans not to sing provocative songs or display the national flag at the World Cup because it may encourage violence.
Fears that clashes could break out among supporters at the tournament in Russia this summer have grown after the Salisbury poisoning in March.
Moscow and London began a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats from their respective embassies after former KGB spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fell ill.
England fans throw bottles during clashes with Russian fans at the 2016 European championships
Most staff dealing with World Cup preparations were kicked out of Russia, raising concerns about the safety of England fans travelling to watch the matches.
The expelled officials would have been on hand to help Brits if they were arrested, fell ill or lost their passports.
Dozens of England fans were attacked by Russian supporters carrying metal bars in Marseilles, France, at the 2016 European championships, sparking further concerns.
An England fan kicks a tear gas cannister during clashes with Russian fans in France in 2016
Deputy chief constable of South Yorkshire Police Mark Roberts is charged with keeping the England football team and fans safe in Russia.
He said there is a ‘very strong nationalistic, patriotic’ sentiment in the country surrounding Vladimir Putin and risqué songs could be taken the wrong way.
‘The fact of the matter is you are bringing increased attention and risk on yourself,’ he told The Times when asked about taking out English flags during the tournament.
Mr Roberts has warned fans to be especially well behaved in some of Russia’s most ‘sensitive’ venues.
Examples include Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, where some two million German and Soviet forces died during the bloodiest battle of the Second World War.
Twenty-five English football fans were arrested in Amsterdam last month ahead of a friendly match against the Nertherlands.
Drunken fans launched beer bottles during violent clashes with the police.
England fans gathering before a friendly match against the Netherlands in March. Amsterdam police said drunken supporters were throwing bottles
Supporters should ‘show a bit of cultural sensitivity’, said Mr Roberts.
‘We wouldn’t expect supporters of other countries’ teams to come to the UK and act in a disrespectful manner around the Cenotaph,’ he said.
Mr Robert’s warning comes as the Russian secret services detained three suspected terrorists and killed another during a raid in Rostov-on-Don.
England will play their first match against Tunisia in the city.
A further seven suspects were ambushed by police in St Petersburg, close to where the team will be based during the contest.