By Andrew Warshaw
October 9 – Russia 2018 has reiterated plans to scrap visa requirements for fans – provided they have FIFA World Cup tickets.
Alexander Djordjadze, deputy chief executive and international relations director of Russia 2018, made the pledge during a special event in Moscow.
“We [have] offered the Government a project on the visa-free regime for all those possessing tickets,” said Djordjadze.
“During the event, fans will be allowed to use their tickets as permits to visit the championship’s host cities and those in the European part of Russia, including Kaliningrad and Yekaterinburg, on a free-of-charge basis.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s former England coach Fabio Capello (pictured below) has spoken of his frustration at the language barrier hindering his work.
Capello was widely criticised for his poor command of English – but now says Russia’s own lack of English, the game’s most common language, was holding him back.
“It’s difficult to read and to learn the Cyrillic alphabet, and also because there aren’t many people who speak English, so I always need a translator,” Capello said.
“To think that somebody is translating what I want to say, they might translate it with some of their ideas or according to their feelings.”
Under Capello, Russia have won both of their competitive matches, beating Northern Ireland 2-0 and Israel 4-0 in World Cup qualifiers.
They next play Portugal on Friday (October 12).
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