IMUSA News
Match day arrangements for Moscow
14th May 2008
The Football Supporters' Federation Fans' Guide to Moscow
Advice from the Foreign Office
Matchday arrangements
From the Football Supporters' FederationFan Parks
There will be two “fan areas” at the stadium, one for each set of supporters, outside the ground itself but within the wider security cordon, which will be accessible to ticket holders only. Be warned though, it’s highly unlikely that there will be any alcohol available in the fans’ areas and once you’re in the fans’ area you won’t be allowed to leave and re-enter. These areas will open at 12pm on match day.
There will also be a “Champions Festival” in Red Square, which will include dedicated information booths for supporters of each team. This will be open from 11am – 8pm on non-match days and from 10am – 9pm on match day.
Ground Rules
The stadium gates will open at 7.45pm, three hours before kick-off, and the usual UEFA stadium rules will apply. This means you’re not allowed to take in anything that can be used as a weapon, like fireworks, knives, guns, flagpoles and sharp objects. A list of prohibited items should be printed on the back of your ticket. Phones and cameras (although not video cameras) should be fine.
There are going to be three security cordons before entry into the stadium. The first is a visual ticket check at the approach to the stadium, once you’ve exited the metro station and are making your way to the ground.
The second cordon will involve ticket validation and will take place at the perimeter of Luzhniki Park. Tickets will be scanned by hand-held scanners at this point. It is important to remember that once you’ve gone through this cordon, you will NOT be able to exit and re-enter, as the scanner will have registered you as already having entered. There will also be a body search conducted and an opportunity to leave bags / luggage for collection after the match. However, as this is likely to be a bit of a free-for-all, we’d say it’s probably a much better idea not to take any bags / luggage / stuff you’re not allowed with you in the first place.
The fan areas lie between this second cordon and the third one.
The third security cordon will be at the stadium perimeter and will involve another body search and electronic reading of your match ticket through turnstiles (like the ones we have at home). There will be airport-style metal detectors at this stage.
Getting through all these security checks could take some time, so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time. It’s also worth noting the Russian legislation on drunkenness at football grounds is strict and there won’t, of course, be any alcohol permitted at the stadium itself.
After the Match
At the time we went to print, arrangements were still being finalised, but these are the things that are likely to happen:
* You may be held in the fan areas after the match as part of the process for getting everyone away from the ground
* At the airport, there will be 3 security checks which may take some time
Flag Hanging
Flags are accepted inside the ground, but at the time of writing we don’t have any information as to whether it will be possible to arrange a time in advance of the stadium opening for people to hang flags, so you’ll need to ask the Fans’ Embassy team for the latest information.
Programmes
There will be match programmes available, which we are reliably informed, will be 96 pages long and will set you back the rouble equivalent of £5. These will be on sale at the fan areas up by the ground and also at the city centre Fans’ Park in Red Square. If you’re unable to lay your sticky mitts on a programme whilst you’re out in Moscow, we have been told that UEFA, having cottoned on to the prospect of making even more cash, have also hinted that they will be printing additional copies of the programme, for people to purchase upon their return home.
