Before the 2018 World Cup kicked off, the Russian Government had set some restrictions which many termed “draconic”. The government on its part instituted these restrictions due to the implications the banned actions it would have on fans and citizens.
The month-long tournament which began June 14, has Russia playing host 31 teams across 12 venues in 11 cities.
The cities include Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Saransk, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, Sochi, St Petersburg, with Moscow hosting two venues (Luzhniki Stadium and Spartak Stadium).
As millions of fans and supporters trooped in for the World Cup, they had a number of rule to abide by.
No Sight-seeing
There is no sight-seeing in cities hosting the tournaments, as authorities have banned about 41 locations where all types of flights are also restricted.
Tour guides are banned from entering host cities and pleasure boats are not allowed to sail on their rivers.
The Mayor of Kaliningrad, one of the host cities, urged residents to leave the city and have a relaxing break in the countryside during the matches.
No protest
President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, reportedly signed a decree preventing staging of football protests during the tournament.
However, other protests that are unconnected to football can take place at a specific place and time as directed by the Ministry of Interior.
In Volgograd, protests and rallies should have not more than 150 participants and activities should be held between 9am and 5pm.
No Alcohol
Alcohol lovers may not be having a good time in Russia, as the beverage would not be sold on match days and a day before, around Stadiums, fans zone, and in other busy locations such as parks and railway stations in host cities.
The authorities also intend to revive the Soviet institution of drunk tanks, run by the police, where drunk fans are taken to sober up.
No barbeque
Due to forest fires that have spread over large areas in the summer, particularly in Siberia, the authorities ordered tougher restrictions on lighting fire outdoors during the World Cup.
This means there would be no campfires, setting fire to grass or cooking meat al fresco in areas that lack special facilities.
Russians will now find it harder to fire up barbecues to grill their beloved kebabs (known as shashlik).
Registering with the Police
Some fans and citizens alike would be frequenting the offices of security operatives during the tournament as they are required to register with Police within three days of arrival at host cities.
Foreigners to several host cities and resident for more than three days will have to register multiple times.
Peculiar to Russia? No
Some of the restrictions are not appearing for the first time, as former host Countries also instituted some while hosting the tournament.
In 2014, while Brazil hosted the World Cup, it declared a ban on beer in or around the Stadium venue. FIFA opposed the restriction, saying “Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we’re going to have them.”
According to then FIFA President, Sepp Blatter “Beer is like a part of life”. Its General Secretary Jerome Valcke, said the sale of the beverage at sporting centres is “something we won’t negotiate.”
Brazil later succumbed to FIFA demand, with President Dilma Rousseff, signing the Bill.
Beer sales have been illegal at football matches in Brazil since 2003. The ban was introduced as part of measures to tackle hooliganism and violence among rival fans.
There have however been attempts to create the impression that Russia is a cold and dangerous country with a brutal dictatorship. A mostly doctored image Russia hopes to correct.
“The stronger the anti-Russian campaign ahead of the World Cup is, the more people will be genuinely amazed when they see there is no barbed wire at the stadiums,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova told reporters.
