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The safety of supporters travelling to the tournament in June has been plunged into doubt after the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal, 66, and daughter Yulia, 33, in Salisbury.

England fans were previously warned they could be "targeted and killed" by Russian Ultras in revenge attacks.

Now an expert has warned the Three Lions faithful could be targeted by the state before being sentenced to death.

Professor in security and intelligence studies, Anthony Glees, warns supporters that so much as taking a photo could prove fatal.

Prof Glees Daily Star Online: "It's possible, given the way things are at the moment, some England fans may be accused of spying for MI6.

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"They could find themselves hauled up in a court. It's an extreme case, but the penalty for espionage in Russia is the death penalty.

"People could be sent to Siberia."

He added: "I think first and foremost it would be taking photographs, inappropriate photographs, making contact with people in Russia, falling for honey traps etc.

"All of the things we saw in the Cold War, where some people could be chatted up and then accused of this, that and the other.

"The possibilities are enormous."

He added that police turning a blind eye to crimes against England fans, letting suspects go and supporters being jailed without fair trial are among the risks.

Earlier this week Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, 53, suggested Russian President Vladimir Putin will use the tournament in the same way Adolf Hitler used the 1936 Olympic Games.

He was responding to concerns raised by Labour's Ian Austin about the safety of fans in the state.

Austin said they are likely to be targeted in violent attacks and called for the England team to boycott the event.

Prof Glees also agrees that England should withdraw from attending, for safety reasons and as a way of sending a message to Putin.

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He told us: "This is all why I think the England squad should not go to Russia and the fans should not go to Russia.

"It's for their own security, there are national security issues.

"I don't think any European team should be playing football in the Russian state right now.

"It's the only way of getting the message over to the people of Russia.

"You only need a small number of people to pick a fight with England fans, and then fans will retaliate, they'll have come a long way.

"They may feel insecure as it is, feel very edgy. We know people who are nervous can overreact, feel taunted, and they have been taunting us already.

"As out Prime Minister said, Russia's response has been one of sarcasm.

"They have been laughing at us.

"They (English fans) should understand that Russia is increasingly becoming a police state, under the control of an authoritarian leader who is ruthless and reckless when it comes to punishing people he thinks are disrespecting him."

Daily Star Online previously revealed how FIFA members have spoken in private of their concern about the prospect of World Cup withdrawals.