“Quarantine” for British fans Heading to Moscow?

By: Laurie | May 8th, 2008

Last month before the France-England friendly in Paris, I had the thrill of being sardined into a Metro train heading out to the stadium as several drunken English fans launched into off-key renditions of, among other things, “God Save the Queen.”

It’s a good thing the ride was short, because by the time we got to the stadium French tempers were starting to fray.

Fans traveling to away matches always have the potential to cause fireworks with the natives. Russia recognizes this, and they’re doing everything possible to eliminate the possibility in the upcoming Champions League final in Moscow. England fans heading to Russia will face a virtual “quarantine” designed to keep them apart from the locals.

The British fans will be headed for Russia largely aboard charter flights. After they land, they will be escorted directly to a fleet of 700 buses and 300 taxis, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mikhail Artamoshkin.

It is not clear whether the escort is meant to shield British fans from hooligan supporters of Moscow’s six soccer teams, who are rumored to be preparing attacks on British fans, or whether it is instead meant to protect Russians from the drinking and brawling so beloved by some of the British themselves when they travel abroad.

The taxis and buses will bring the visitors to a staging area near the stadium, where they will be placed in a kind of quarantine. Mr. Artamoshkin said they will be kept in “specially prepared villages where they will be provided with food and drink, and a program of entertainment, and given a chance to purchase souvenirs.”

They will then be moved to Luzhniki stadium, where, needless to say, security will be heavy.

And not only that, the Russians are so anxious to keep the fans of the Chelsea and Manchester United apart that they’re routing them through different airports.

What I find most interesting about this is that both of the teams playing in the game are English. So there is no real Russian connection at all, other than the venue. Where does the conflict come from? Just from people on both sides acting like idiots?

One other thing I find humorous is that the English Foreign and Commonwealth Office has devoted an entire page of advice to fans traveling to the game, including this interesting section:

Drinking in Moscow
Don’t let alcohol ruin your Champions League final experience:

be vigilant when you’re drinking alcohol - pickpockets may operate in some bars.

don’t smoke or drink in Red Square. It’s illegal and you will be arrested!

don’t leave drinks unattended in bars as they may be spiked - be very aware of strangers offering to buy you drinks

don’t turn up at the stadium inebriated -security will be tight and you’ll be refused entry

It should also go without saying that you should not do drugs during your visit. The Russian authorities have a zero tolerance attitude towards drugs, both hard and soft. Penalties are severe and can result in long-term jail sentences

Words to the wise, boys and girls.

And I’m certain that the people this applies to will be reading this website.

Really makes me wish I were traveling to Russia.