| The Russian authorities have announced that | | | | |
| fans of Manchester United and Chelsea will be | | | | The Russian visa announcement comes after a |
| allowed to enter Moscow without a visa to | | | | series of discussions between Michel Platini, |
| watch their teams play in the Uefa European | | | | President of Uefa ( and the Russian |
| Cup final. Fans will be able to escape | | | | government. Mr Platini said that the Russian |
| Russia’s notoriously strict visa | | | | visa concession was “exceptional and |
| restrictions by simply presenting a valid | | | | unprecedented” and a “historical |
| match ticket on arrival. | | | | decision.” He also exclaimed that the |
| | | | long-awaited announcement was “great |
| The 42,000 football fans that are estimated | | | | news.” He said: “This is great |
| to have tickets for the Moscow match will | | | | news for football fans travelling to watch |
| welcome the Russian authorities’ | | | | this year's Uefa Champions League final in |
| announcement, particularly as there were | | | | Moscow. Our job is to make sure that they are |
| fears that Britain’s ongoing political | | | | able to get to and from Moscow as easily as |
| tension with Russia would hamper attempts to | | | | possible. I am therefore extremely pleased |
| secure a ‘visa-free’ deal. The | | | | that at my request, all fans travelling with |
| visa-free decision will also take pressure | | | | a valid match ticket can use this to enter |
| off the overworked staff at the Russian | | | | Russian territory.” Mr Platini also |
| Embassy, who have been working non-stop to | | | | thanked Russia for their co-operation. He |
| try and issue visas to the thousands of | | | | said: “I must thank wholeheartedly the |
| football fans in time for the final, which | | | | president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir |
| takes place on the 21st May. | | | | Putin, the Russian government, the city of |
| | | | Moscow and the Football Union of |
| The visa-free deal proposed by the Russian | | | | Russia.” |
| authorities will allow Manchester United and | | | | |
| Chelsea fans to use their match tickets as a | | | | The decision has obviously reduced demand for |
| visa substitute for a 72-hour period between | | | | visas, so the Manchester United and Chelsea |
| 19 and 23 May. In addition to their valid | | | | fans that are hoping to travel to Russia |
| match ticket, the football fans will also | | | | independently and buy a match ticket in |
| need to present their passports and a | | | | Moscow should have their visas processed in |
| completed immigration form to the authorities | | | | time. However, the British Foreign and |
| when they arrive on Russian soil. Those who | | | | Commonwealth Office are advising supporters |
| overstay the 72-hour visa-free entry period | | | | in this situation not to travel to Moscow |
| will be forced to pay the regular visa fee of | | | | “if they do not have a ticket or |
| around £150 - £200 on his or her | | | | accommodation beforehand. |
| departure. | | | | |