Russian min, FIFA ink memo to identify fans at 2017–2018 matches

MOSCOW, Nov 9 (PRIME) -- Russia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to apply a fan identification system during the 2017 Confederations Cup and the 2018 World Cup, which the country hosts, the Communications and Mass Media Ministry said late Tuesday in a statement.

“The Communications and Mass Media Ministry and the Sport Ministry, jointly with colleagues from other authorities, have been preparing a launch of the system of fan passports and discussed conditions of its application with FIFA from last year,” Communications Minister Nikolai Nikiforov said.

“Our task is to make receipt and use of a fan passport quick and comfortable. The creation of the system is aimed at improving the security level during the World Cup for all its participants and viewers.”

In order to receive a fan passport, a person should buy a ticket to a match and get registered on a specially launched Web site www.fan-id.ru. Documents will be handed over in cities hosting the soccer events. Foreign visitors will get fan passports by mail and will be able to come to Russia without a visa. The documents should be presented along with tickets to enter stadiums.

There will be issued up to 3 million of fan passports for Russians and foreign guests.

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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