Ufa president says visas will be fixed today

FC UFA president Shamil Gazizov insists he’s hopeful they will get their visas to face Rangers today and be able to travel to Glasgow.

The Russians face an almighty scramble to get the necessary documentation to travel to Scotland after recent tightening of visa requirements following heightened tensions between their country and the UK Government.

Ufa officials spent yesterday at the British Embassy in Moscow and are now hopeful they will get the go-ahead to travel to Glasgow for the play-off round of the Europa League.

They pleaded to get the visas fast tracked because it normally takes a minimum of five days even to get business visas to visit the UK.

And Gazizov is hoping they will get the green light today.

He said: “At the moment, almost all the players have applied for a UK visa and the whole issue should be decided within 24 hours.

“If everything goes well, we will receive the necessary documents on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Ufa have decided to stay in Moscow on Tuesday before flying directly to Scotland on Wednesday, rather than head back to their Bashkortostan home.

Ufa played against Dinamo Moscow last night and will spend the day training in the Russian capital before travelling to Scotland... visa permitting.

Gazizov said: “Due to the fact that we expect to receive a British visa on Tuesday and also from a financial point of view, the club will stay in Moscow.

“It does not make any sense to return to Ufa on Tuesday and fly out again the following day.”