Russia to identify 2017–2018 FIFA soccer cup fans for security

MOSCOW, Sep 27 (PRIME) -- Russian authorities will equip every soccer fan visiting the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017 and the World Cup in 2018, which the country hosts, with a personal identification card, the Communications and Mass Media Ministry said Tuesday in a statement.

“The system of identification of soccer fans is obligatory for safety during matches. Every fan will be issued a personal card, which stipulates a visa-free arrival to Russia, opens access to stadiums of the events and public transport,” Communications Minister Nikolai Nikiforov said at a meeting, as quoted in the statement.

Creation of the identification system was introduced by the 2013 federal law.

The FIFA World Cup will be held on June 14–July 15, 2018 on 12 stadiums in 11 cities scattered across the country, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.

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