Support The Moscow Times!

Putin Signs New Hooligan Laws Ahead of 2018 World Cup

French police use tear gas against English hooligans in downtown Marseille, France. Darko Bandic / AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed tough new laws to punish football hooligans ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

The fines for Russian football fans who attend matches despite an official ban has doubled from a minimum of 20,000 rubles ($357) to 40,000 rubles ($714).

Fans can also be jailed for up to 15 days if they don't pay up, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported.

New legislation also punishes spectators for endangering their own safety or the safety of others at any sporting fixture. Fans will be forced to take on a 20,000 ruble fine and a 7-year stadium ban, while foreign supporters pay the fine and face deportation.

Foreign fans blacklisted by police as likely law-breakers will also be banned from entering Russia.

The 2018 World Cup will kick off in Russia on June 14, 2018. Thirty-two teams are set to play 64 matches across the European half of the country, with the final taking place on July 15 in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more