Mandatory wearing masks with gloves and temperature measurement: how the Spartak fans returned to the Opening Arena

Ban on alcohol antiseptics and masks for 300 rubles

Fans of Spartak were looking forward to the match with Ufa, because on Saturday, for the first time in 3.5 months, they got the opportunity to attend the Opening of the Arena. However, not everyone was lucky to see the performance of football players with their own eyes. According to the regulations, it was possible to fill the home stadium only by 10% of its capacity. As a result, 4179 spectators gathered at the stadium, which is even slightly less than the allowable quota.

Like other Russian stadiums, Spartak’s home arena was under strict protective measures. Everyone who wished to enter the territory of the sports venue had to have personal protective equipment with them. Almost everyone had masks, but not everyone took gloves with them. However, in the stadium's locker room they could be obtained absolutely free of charge.

Spartak also took care of lovers of club attributes and made stylish black masks with the inscription “FCSM” for them. Anyone could buy them at the stadium for 300 rubles.

On this, measures to counter the spread of coronavirus did not end. At the entrance to the stadium, the fans measured the temperature and seized things forbidden to carry. Among them were drinks in open containers and any food. People had to be content with ordinary bottled mineral water. Among other things, an alcohol antiseptic was taken from one of the spectators.

The organizers provided for the presence of disinfectants in the arena. Around the perimeter there were racks with an antiseptic that could disinfect hands. And so that the fans did not forget about the safety measures, the stewards in the loudspeakers reminded them of the need to comply with them. However, in the 30-degree heat, many still decided to remove gloves from their hands, and masks were pulled from their nose.

The rule of social distance did not always work, especially on the fan stand. Stewards tried to seat active fans, but this was not always the case. However, most of those present were located through a chair from each other.

⏱⏸️ We leave for a break! #SpartakUfa - 0: 0 pic.twitter.com/iQ6xwf6Bl6

“We need to live on and play football. Now sit at home? ”

However, many fans of Spartak were unsatisfied with the fact that only a little more than four thousand people got to the stadium. In their opinion, it was worth all the season ticket holders to allow entry into the arena, but their number significantly exceeded the permissible norms. As a result, the club had to conduct a special draw to determine the owners of seasonal passes who could attend the meeting with Ufa.

“Subscriptions are 16 thousand, and there are only four home matches left. That is, four thousand people will fall into each game. But someone goes to Ufa, and someone to Lokomotiv. Since the opening of the stadium, we have not missed a single meeting and regularly purchased season tickets. All seasonal ticket holders should have been allowed into the arena. But first of all, in my opinion, people with disabilities should be allowed in, ”said Spartak fan Alexander.

Victor and Maxim arrived for the match from the city of Nelidovo in the Tver region. Upon learning that they were lucky to see the meeting of the 24th round, the fans decided to play it safe and come to the capital a day before the indicated date.

“We did not miss a single match at the Opening Arena. Of course, it’s a pity that they let in only 10% of the stadium capacity. I would like more. And so, unusual, ”said the fans.

“When we got out of the train, we thought that we came to the game alone, so it was not crowded. My opinion: you need to let all season ticket holders into the arena. People pay money and you need to look for an opportunity to do this. 16 thousand could well be let go, ”the men added.

A lot were at the stadium and spectators with children. Some attended the match with Ufa as a family.

“We have three family passes. We submitted three applications and as a result we got the opportunity to come to the game. And there are a lot of people like us, ”said the couple with their five-year-old son.

A different reaction was caused by the requirement for mandatory wearing of masks and gloves. Some fans found this measure necessary, others doubted its necessity.

“All this is nonsense! In the subway, everyone sits without masks, institutions and shops are open. And then they force me to put on. But then upon arrival home you need to carry out a complete disinfection so as not to become infected. Otherwise, these measures do not make any sense. I came here with a small vial of antiseptic. He was forced to throw, because he is on alcohol. But I had to buy a mask - a scrap of fabric for 300 rubles, ”one of the fans of red-white resented.

At the same time, another fan of the ten-time champion of Russia admitted that although the use of personal protective equipment in hot weather is uncomfortable, it is a necessity.

“There is nothing to be done. We were immediately warned about all antiviral measures, ”the fan explained.

Most other fans of the Domenico Tedesco collective agreed with him. According to them, for the sake of the performance of your favorite team you can tolerate a little.

“We need to live on and play football. Now sit at home? On the other hand, it was quite possible to increase attendance up to 30-40% of the stadium capacity. That would be optimal. But it’s good that they were generally allowed to play with the audience. After all, in Europe, matches are still held in empty stands, ”said Maxim from Balashikha.

Coaches without masks and an unusual press conference

The atmosphere at the stadium from the first minute helps to understand that it is much better to play even with a small number of fans than with their complete absence. Spartak fans with a starting whistle provided the team with excellent noise support, which, it seemed, was not much inferior to the usual one. And ordinary football fans from the central sectors joined the chant.

The stadium really lived the game. Each attack of Spartak was met with an enthusiastic roar, and the opponent was honored with a whistle. Chief referee Vladislav Bezborodov, who did not count two red-white goals at the end of the match, got the most. In his address from the stands and swearing swore.

The coaches were very active. Domenico Tedesco and Vadim Evseev throughout all 90 minutes tirelessly moved around the technical area. Interestingly, both decided not to wear masks, although they did not neglect gloves.

After the final whistle, both specialists went to a press conference, which was very different from the usual one. According to the rules, it cannot be carried out in the previous format now. However, “Spartak” found a way out - video calling. The head coaches of the teams are located in the press conference room, and journalists are in the press center through the wall.

At the same time, the parties saw each other on television screens located in both rooms. Everyone who wanted to ask a question, a journalist came up to the microphone and found himself in the sight of a video camera. Tedesco demonstrated to the assembled significant progress in the study of the Russian language. When asked about the two canceled balls of his team, he answered in Russian: “I don’t know. I accept it. No problems".

Similarly, the mixed zone functioned for communication with football players. Spartak defender Andrei Yeshchenko spoke to the media right after the coaches. At the same time, not only the number of fans present at the stadium turned out to be limited, but also the number of journalists. Accreditation received only 25 people.