WORLD CUP STINK OVER SMELLY FANS
Penalties for supporters
ENGLAND football fans going to the World Cup in Russia have been told to KO the BO – or face fines.
Officials have introduced “pong penalties” in a bid to clean up supporters at the tournament.
Foul-smelling fans using Moscow’s three airports will be penalised for violating new rules of conduct.
Anyone caught wearing smelly or stained clothes can expect a fine.
Sleeping in terminal buildings has been outlawed. Fans are also barred from dossing on benches, sitting on the floor, riding on airport trolleys and washing in public toilets.
The Russian capital’s regional parliament – the Duma – has introduced the rules five weeks before supporters start arriving for the event.
They are designed to regulate passenger behaviour so commuters, shoppers and non-football following tourists are not confronted by armies of unhygienic fans.
Stained
Passengers who violate the new regulations will be hit with on-thespot fines of up to 500 rubles (£5.77).
Each complaint is likely to earn a fresh penalty.
Officials acted amid rumours some supporters faced with soaring hotel room rates in Moscow could try to sleep at the city’s airports. According to the regional administration’s website: “People in stained and foul-smelling clothes, as well as those who use the airport for accommodation, could be held to justice.”
Oleg Grigoriyev, chairman of the Duma’s transport infrastructure committee, said: “This is especially pressing before the World Cup.“
Sheremetyevo, the main hub of Russia’s biggest airline Aeroflot, is close to the capital’s Spartak stadium.
Website SleepingAtAirports.net advises travellers: “The floor is mostly tiled so bring something to lie on for warmth.”
But under the new rules using the airport for accommodation is illegal.
The tough laws also apply at Moscow’s other airports, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky.
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