"We haven't seen football matches for a long time"
The Russian Premier League (RPL) intends to check the attendance data for the 10th round match, in which Spartak hosted Zenit at home.
The number of fans in the stands reportedly aroused suspicion among the Moscow mayor's office.
The corresponding request has already been sent to the Moscow club, which, in turn, will be obliged to provide evidence that there was no violation.
“The attendance of the RPL Spartak - Zenit match aroused concern among government authorities.
To clarify all the data, the RPL is in contact with both Spartak as the host and the Russian Football Union (RFU), ”the Sport Express league press service said.
In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, Moscow has adopted strict restrictive measures when organizing mass events.
Thus, the occupancy of the stands at RPL matches should not exceed 50%.
At the same time, the seating of the audience should be carried out with a social distance of 1.5 meters.
According to official data previously provided by Spartak's general director Shamil Gazizov, 17,150 people were present at the 45,000-seat Otkrytie Arena stadium on Sunday, that is, the order was complied with.
The club itself reacted calmly to the information about the check and assured that the number of tickets sold did not exceed the permissible quota.
“We haven't seen football matches for a long time.
I have no worries about this, ”RIA Novosti quotes Gazizov.
On the eve, RPL President Sergei Pryadkin urged clubs to conduct an explanatory conversation with their fans and explain to them the importance of observing safety measures when visiting stadiums.
He added that a number of violations were indeed recorded at the Spartak - Zenit match, but there was no talk of attendance.
Interestingly, the high occupancy of the Otkritie Arena was also noticed by journalists at a press conference following the results of the Spartak - Zenit match.
According to Gazizov, this impression was created due to the fact that the fans were very active in supporting their team.
The former head coach of Lokomotiv, Yuri Semin, who was present at the derby, stressed that he had not noticed anything suspicious.
“Where I was, everyone complied with safety standards.
And whether there were more spectators at the match than allowed, it's hard for me to count.
In my opinion, everything was correct and in accordance with all today's norms, ”Semin said.
It is noted that if the RPL really reveals violations of the medical protocol by Spartak, the club will be punished with a monetary fine in accordance with Article 111 of the RFU disciplinary regulations.
"Football is very boring without fans"
Information about violations at the match "Spartak" - "Zenith" appeared against the backdrop of rumors about the possible complete closure of the stands.
If a few days ago, RFU President Alexander Dyukov expressed the opinion that there was no need for this, since football does not in any way worsen the epidemiological situation, then on the eve it became known that the Moscow mayor's office adheres to a different position.
According to media reports, the city authorities have already discussed several options, depending on the situation in the city.
We are talking either about a new restriction on attendance, which can be reduced to 10% of the total capacity of arenas, or about a complete ban on visiting fans.
Such measures can be introduced already from the 11th round of the RPL, scheduled for October 18.
Clubs also received relevant notifications with a request to adjust the ticket program.
The football authorities did not rule out this possibility either.
“We are convinced that fans are the soul of football.
Holding matches with spectators is a priority task of the RPL.
At the moment, the league has received no information about the introduction of new restrictive measures related to the organization of sports events.
However, a difficult epidemiological situation may force the executive authorities to return some restrictions up to the closure of the stands, "Pryadkina quotes TASS.
In "Spartak" they have repeatedly opposed the reduction of the viewer quota.
According to its owner, Leonid Fedun, admission of fans not only allows clubs to make up for financial losses after a downtime, but also brings joy to people.
In turn, Gazizov admitted that he does not yet know anything about the return of strict measures.
“At least I didn't participate in any discussions.
If a decision is made, we will implement it.
Here we do not decide.
Of course it will hit the clubs.
But health should be in the first place ”, - quotes the words of the“ Championship ”functionary.
Semin agrees with the management of Spartak, in whose opinion football is boring without fans.
“The players who enter the football field have the same underestimated emotions.
Therefore, we need to do everything possible to ensure that the fans are at the matches, ”said the specialist.