Spartak : The Russian Premier League is on a winter break, but the events around it are not playing out the most pleasant right now. Fans of many top clubs of the Russian championship are strongly opposed to the introduction of Fan ID – a fan ID, without which it is impossible to enter the stadium. Fans of “Spartak”, “Rostov” have already spoken out against, army and St. Petersburg fans are on the way. MK-Sport gathered a reaction to the riot of fans.
From June 1, 2022, the law on the introduction of Fan ID will come into force. A FAN ID or a personalized spectator card will have to be obtained by every person who has bought a ticket for the matches – this practice was first used in Russia as the host country of the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It will be possible to issue a Fan ID through the State Services portal, which will reflect the history of the actions of their owners at sporting events.
According to the ideologues of the law on Fan ID, violent fans will stop going to the stadiums, so there will be a more family atmosphere at the matches. Fans of the largest football clubs in the country are strongly opposed. The first with an official position was Phratria, an association of Spartak fans. They said that they intend to boycott the matches of the RPL, the Cup of Russia and the home European Cup matches of the red and white.
“Our boycott starts from now and will last until the complete repeal of the adopted law. The boycott applies to all fan associations, organizations and teams that identify themselves with Spartak: Moscow, Russia, the CIS countries and the whole world! Not a single law, not a single document and not a single official can deprive a fan of his sacred right: to be close to his club, to be part of its history, to consider the stadium and sector as his home, to openly express his emotions and opinions!
In our blood, our ideology was, is and will forever remain the main principle – the support of our team! At any time, despite the results, restrictions, pressure from law enforcement agencies and other circumstances, we remained close to Spartak. However, the current situation and repressive innovations do not leave us the opportunity to make a decision other than this – difficult, but balanced and the only right one in the current situation.
Leaving the stands, we will not stop supporting Spartak by the means remaining available to us, we reserve the right to attend matches with the participation of teams representing our great name in those sports and leagues where the punishing digital baton of the “law” has not yet reached and “order”.
The emotions of the sector, the crowded roaring stadium and tens of thousands of hearts beating in unison have always been the most important part of life for us! We consciously give up what was so dear to us, in the name of one single goal: to protect the rights of everyone who considers himself a fan! So, our position is stated. Everyone who identifies with football must make their choice. The system will not stop – having got rid of the fans, having cleared the active sectors from the “objectionable”, its mechanism will ruthlessly start in a new direction.
A law aimed at providing a “comfortable and safe environment for football” will not only destroy the essence of fanaticism and its emotions, but will also cynically, without explanation and in violation of the presumption of innocence, deal with anyone who does not fit into the rules dictated by it – ordinary fans, visitors to the “family sectors” and VIP-lodges.
We declare that everyone who decides to ignore the declared position and stay at the stadium will no longer be able to look into the eyes of thousands of comrades-in-arms with honor and dignity! Anyone, regardless of his status and regalia, having crossed the line of the stadium at the time of our boycott, will momentarily cease to be part of the great Spartak movement and leave our ranks forever!
STADIUM IS NOT A PRISON! FOOTBALL FOR FANS!” – reads the statement of the “Phratry”.
Spartak supported the opinion of the fans: “The club is aware of the position of fan associations. Of course, this situation does not cause anything but frustration. Spartak fans are the best in Russia, their support is very important for the team. At the same time, we understand that they have the right to express their position in this way and draw attention to the problem.”
Following the Phratria, the fans of Rostov refused to issue a Fan ID. Fans of CSKA and Zenit sharply disagree with the fan’s passport. The situation was already out of control, but the deputies and people responsible for the introduction of Fan ID were not particularly afraid of the fans’ riot.
“They played the pandemic without fans, let’s play a little more – it’s okay ,” said the honorary president of the RFU Vyacheslav Koloskov.
Three-time Olympic champion and deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Irina Rodnina said that Fratria “does not really love her club” since she refuses to attend their matches.
“Fans are required to comply with what is required of them by law. Everything is done for a reason. If any decisions are made, then they are necessarily dictated by something. Fan ID is not just someone’s whim. It is important for everyone to increase security for themselves.
What do they want to show? What are they the power that can govern? Instead of compromising. Every state must provide security. I can’t rate fans. I don’t understand football. But we passed the law. Football loses its beauty due to Fan ID? Yes Yes! Especially when fires are lit, and people are carried away crippled , ”Sport24.ru quotes Rodnina.
Former world boxing champion and State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev said it was too late to wave his fists.
“The law on the introduction of the FAN ID was signed by the President of Russia, so it can no longer be repealed. So there is one of two things here: either the fans will calm down and sooner or later will go to the stadiums, or everything will continue like this.”
Olympic champion and deputy Svetlana Zhurova , in an interview with Sport-Express, urged non-fans of RPL clubs not to rush:
“A boycott is not the best option. They hurried. I don’t know how the fans will behave further. The most amazing thing is that Fan ID exists for foreigners. They are not afraid to give away their data.”
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