In Moscow, new measures have been introduced to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In accordance with the order of Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, from March 17, a temporary ban on all major events, including sports competitions, is introduced.
“It is forbidden to conduct any leisure activities with the participation of citizens in the field of culture, physical education and sports, exhibition, entertainment and educational activities in the open air with any number of participants, and in buildings, structures, structures (premises in them) - with the number of participants more than 50 a person at a time, ”the statement said on Sobyanin’s official website.
The ban will be valid until April 10 this year. The tightening of previous measures occurred in connection with the worsening situation around the coronavirus. Over the past weekend, the number of cases in Moscow increased by 20 people.
At the same time, the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation decided not to hold international competitions throughout the country. As for domestic tournaments, which are not qualifying for the Olympic Games, they are also recommended to be canceled.
“To cancel from March 16, 2020, until further notice, the holding of all international sports events on the territory of the Russian Federation, including the participation of foreign athletes (coaches, specialists) in national sports events. All-Russian and regional federations, executive authorities of constituent entities of the Russian Federation should ensure control over the implementation of the decision, ”the text of the order says.
Thus, the Russian Premier League (RPL) and the Continental Hockey League (KHL) fell under the new preventive measures of the Ministry of Sports and the Moscow authorities. Until today, they remained the only major sports organizations whose competitions were held as usual.
It is worth noting that the football authorities planned to discuss the suspension of the tournament on March 17 at a special meeting. At the same time, several matches of the 22nd round were already held in the empty stands.
At the moment, the fate of the Russian championship season 2019/20 is unknown, and the opinions of experts on this issue are divided. So, the owner of Spartak Leonid Fedun noted that the drawing should be stopped now.
“We need to summarize the de facto, relatively speaking, Zenit is a champion. Maybe only finish the Cup of Russia. In short, the situation is bad. But where to go - the decision has been made. Although it is not entirely clear: there is one person per square meter in the stadium, and seven people per square meter in the subway, when the fans go to the match. At the same time, no one is closing the metro yet, ”- quotes Fedun TASS.
The honored trainer of Russia Valery Gazzaev adheres to the opposite position. In his opinion, it is not worth holding matches in the empty stands, but nothing prevents the resumption of the championship in the future.
“Maybe by the end of April everything will be over. In China, the epidemic is on the decline. Today it is necessary to stop all activities, and let people disciplinedly fulfill the requirements of doctors. How can we recognize Zenit as a champion for eight games before the end of the season? This must not be allowed! There are no obstacles not to finish the championship later. Everything should be based on the sporting principle, ”the Championship quotes Gazzaev.
The general director of CSKA Roman Babaev agrees with his opinion. According to him, the Russian championship should be resumed after the stabilization of the situation.
“We always have time to finish. Why deprive the team and fans of almost a third of the championship, incur huge losses and disrupt contracts with sponsors and television, when there is a chance to finish it? Moreover, if the European Championship is canceled and it becomes possible to play in May-June, ”Babayev quotes the“ Championship ”.
At the same time, the president of Ural, Grigory Ivanov, noted that in Yekaterinburg at the moment there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus.
“We will do as epidemiologists decide. This is the life of people! I do not know the whole depth of the issue. For example, here we have not seen a coronavirus. There are two plans. The first is to play. The second - you need to decide something. For me, it's better to play like that, ”Ivanov said.
In turn, ex-midfielder of the Russian national team Alexander Mostovoy added that the main problem is that it is not known how long the quarantine can last.
“Medals are the last thing to think about in the current situation. Who will need this medal when people die? It is necessary that all this ends faster and they stop being infected. In this situation, let Zenit become the champion even now, ”Mostovoy emphasized.
The head coach of Lokomotiv Yuri Semin chose to take a neutral position. He suggested that much will depend on the decision of the leadership of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
“All this is connected with slightly different circumstances, with people's health. We like to play, every time we like to go to full stadiums, to train. It is most important. But if they stop this, what can we do? ”, RBC quotes Semina.
Eight rounds remain before the end of the RPL. At the moment, the first line in the standings is occupied by Zenit, the second by Lokomotiv, and the third by Krasnodar.
The decision of the Moscow authorities and the Ministry of Sports prevented a conflict that threatened to burst in the NHL. The leadership of the league did not intend to stop the Gagarin Cup playoffs, despite the recommendation of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), the removal of the Finnish Yokerit and Kazakhstan's Barys, as well as the appeals of the hockey players themselves. The organization also intended to discuss this issue on March 17.
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Former coach of the Russian national hockey team Vyacheslav Bykov supported the decision to suspend the tournament. In his opinion, the results of the playoffs must be annulled.
“CSKA is the winner of the regular season, but the regular season and the playoffs are two completely different things. Giving them the Gagarin Cup is wrong. I believe that it is necessary to end the season and not to hand the trophy to anyone, ”Bykov told TASS.
March 17 and 18 were supposed to go through the first draws of the quarter finals of the playoffs. In addition to Barys and Yokerita, CSKA, SKA, Moscow Dynamo, Salavat Yulaev, Sibir and AK Bars took part in it.
As for the remaining competitions, the Russian speed skating championship in Moscow, as well as the boxing match between Fedor Chudinov and Isaac Chilemba in Vladikavkaz, have already been canceled. The promotion Absolute Championship Akhmat (ASA) said they would do everything possible to fight Alexander Emelianenko and Magomed Ismailov, scheduled for April 3, took place.