Football Fever In Moscow
evawhite on June 3rd, 2008
The finals this year for the UEFA Champion’s League was held in Moscow. Not too many large international sporting events held beyond the iron curtain as Russia was once known as. Moscow took into the fever of the sprit and threw open its doors to all the fans pouring in from across Europe.
The first thing they did of course was relax the entry Visa norms; they allowed Visa-free entry to fans! Those been following international news would recall the recent spat between Russia - UK about a Russian exile murder and the Russia – EU debating gas prices. So that said stern-looking Moscow decided to loosen up a little and here’s how they did …
Police at their Sunday’s best. Really! The police were ordered to for the duration of the Champion’s League dress in white shirts instead of the blue they normally wear. They only wear white on national holidays and on Wednesdays! I suppose it helps the citizens keep track of holidays and Wednesdays!! The order states for them to turn out in the Russian Policing equivalent of their Sunday’s best.
Trying to find a taxi in Moscow city on a normal day will be of no avail with the heavy traffic in the city. Find a cab isn’t a few minutes affair; it must be preplanned and appointed. But the fans did not have to suffer this ordeal. A few traffic lanes were reserved for buses carry the fans to stadiums, governmental request for the citizens of the city of stay off the road during those peak game timings and hundreds of taxis assigned to hang about the stadium to ferry the fans. It was even possible for people to flag down any car on the road to hitch a ride, which could be anything from a rusty bucket to an off-duty ministerial Audi.
Letting the ‘Festival of Football’ happen. The police were trained in crowed control so to let the fans have their fan while not letting anything get out of hand. All these were excellent measures taken by host country. Understanding the sprit and the enthusiasm of the sport and allowing it best. Hope more countries can learn from this..
