ID checks for all: Russian Premier League tightens security

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Published time: February 08, 2013 20:42
Edited time: February 09, 2013 00:42

Personal identification will be required in order to buy tickets to Russian Premier League matches as soon as the football season restarts on March 8.

­The crucial decision has been made at the League’s general meeting in the House of Football in Moscow on Friday.

Previously, the clubs were only recommended to ask the fans for ID, but from now on the measure becomes obligatory.  

"There have been proposals to change some regulations and we decided to legalize the purchase of tickets with an identity card,” Sergey Cheban, Premier League’s chief executive, told RIA-Novosti. “I think, at first it’ll be difficult, but after a couple of matches the club’s will work it out and thing will get back to normal.”

The official added that the ruling was unanimously backed by all of the 16 clubs of the Russian top flight.

“A united fan database will also be created, which will make ticket purchase easier as all the needed info on each fan will be present on his card,” Chaban added.

Security at the stadiums once again became a hot topic in Russia after two matches were aborted due to the misconduct of the fans in autumn last year.

The clashes between the supporters of Torpedo Moscow and city rivals from Dynamo, forced the referee to stop the Russian Cup encounter in September.

And in November, Zenit were punished with three games without spectators after a flare thrown from the Saint Petersburg side’s stands, injured the Dyanmo Moscow keeper, Anton Shunin.