Preventive Measures Against Soccer Fans

Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov and representatives of the Spartak soccer club have agreed on preventive measures to deter disturbances at football matches. After the meeting with Spartak representatives Gryzlov said that the sides had come to a common view - "it is important not to eliminate shortcomings, it is necessary to prevent them". Gryzlov emphasised that so-called "fans", who break seats and start fights, are not genuine soccer supporters. The minister said that stadiums will shortly install special video monitoring systems whose presence will be mentioned to fans before each match. Gryzlov made an assurance that there will be police on duty not only during matches, but also well before them. Besides, the Interior Ministry will install a hot telephone line through which fans will be able to receive any information about coming games and also to describe disorders at stadiums, the minister said. Gryzlov also noted that seats in stadiums in Europe are installed in such a way that they cannot be shifted. On Russian stadiums, "fans" can easily tear off their seats and turn them into a fighting tool. This technically should be decided, the Interior Minister said. Spartak chief coach Oleg Romantsov, for his part, agreed with Gryzlov that it is necessary to take preventive measures.

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