As soon as it became known that the English teams Manchester United and Chelsea would meet in the final, Moscow was threatened with English fans and English fans with Moscow.
The information wars taking place on all fronts between Russia and Britain have recently become such an everyday event that it is now difficult to shock anyone with press scare stories about the brutality of the police or the lawlessness of the fans. Even before the match between Russia and England, Moscow's riot police conducted special training to prevent visiting hooligans from causing trouble.
From 19 to 23 May, thousands of the best fans in the world will again visit Moscow. Instead of the estimated 40 odd thousand, there will be around 25,000 visitors to the capital. Of course, the fans have not been scared away by tales about Russia's police, but rather by the far more objective data about prices for flights, hotels and services.
As a result, the clubs, especially Chelsea, were forced to return some of their allocation of tickets. Not even the decision to allow visa-free entry for fans with tickets for the Champions League final has helped. The decree was one of the first of Dmitry Medvedev's presidential career. UEFA president Michel Platini called the decision "a historic step". He rebuked the London club for failing to distribute their tickets.
The overheated ticket market (ticket prices are reaching 5000 euros from touts) could collapse just before the game. Incidentally, the surplus of empty seats in the stands will affect Moscow's chances of hosting another major sporting event almost as much as disorder in the city.
The Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliev has already made it clear to Moscow's policemen that hosting the Champions League final is important for the country's image and urged them to exercise particular diligence, and to wear their parade uniform. Eighteen British police officers have come to Moscow to assist their Russian colleagues. Precautionary measures are normal for events of this scale.
The day before the final passed quietly. The main concerns relate to the night after the match, when some will drink in joy, others to drown their sorrows, and the rest just for the hell of it.
Andrei Borzenko
Photo: Reuters
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