Russian football officials comment on law on fans

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the bill on fans in July 2013.Yevgeny Lovchev, a football player and an observer of the Sovetsky Sport paper, emphasized that the consolidation of fans in the 1970s had forced governments to make laws for their behaviour.Anzor Kavazashvili, Head of the All-Russian Football Federation, said that the law people should be responsible for provoking fans to start disorders.Alexey Tolkachev, Head of the section for security and fans of the Russian Football Union, said that a special working group was formed at the Union. It has representatives of the whole football community to monitor the behaviour of fans. The law sets a fine of 15,000 rubles and bans from viewing matches for violations.Vladimir Leonchenko, Head of the Council of the Professional Union of Football Players and Coaches, said that Russian fan tradition resembles that of the 1990s. He noted that fans in England or Germany accumulated up to a third of their clubs’ income.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the bill on fans in July 2013.

Yevgeny Lovchev, a football player and an observer of the Sovetsky Sport paper, emphasized that the consolidation of fans in the 1970s had forced governments to make laws for their behaviour.

Anzor Kavazashvili, Head of the All-Russian Football Federation, said that the law people should be responsible for provoking fans to start disorders.

Alexey Tolkachev, Head of the section for security and fans of the Russian Football Union, said that a special working group was formed at the Union. It has representatives of the whole football community to monitor the behaviour of fans. The law sets a fine of 15,000 rubles and bans from viewing matches for violations.

Vladimir Leonchenko, Head of the Council of the Professional Union of Football Players and Coaches, said that Russian fan tradition resembles that of the 1990s. He noted that fans in England or Germany accumulated up to a third of their clubs’ income.