Albanian pilots arrested for having no entry visas

Three crew members of the plane that brought to Russia on Tuesday the Albanian football team had no entry visas and will be under home arrest in a hotel in Volgograd, said Russian Foreign Ministry representative in this southeastern Russian city. The Albanians are due to play here a qualifying match of the 2004 European championship with Russia.

According to the Russian diplomat, border guards treated the Albanians very "softly". The current regulations stipulate that violators must be immediately sent home.

The three Albanians will be under arrest in the hotel of Volgograd's airport for two days to fly home with the team after the match.