MOSCOW, February 12 (R-Sport) - The Russian FA approved new rules Tuesday restricting ticket sales for top-flight matches to fans who present ID at point of sale, the Russian Premier League has told R-Sport.
The initiative to tighten up stadium security first appeared in November after Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper Anton Shunin was hurt by a flare thrown from the crowd.
The changes are included in the Russian Premier League’s rules for this season, meaning they come into force immediately.
Fans buying tickets must present either an official fan ID or their passport, driver’s licence or military ID card to buy tickets, with only under-14s exempt.
The new regulations do not state whether ticket-buyers must present the ID of every person they are obtaining tickets for, as some clubs have demanded.
Some clubs had already begun demanding ID for ticket purchasers in the wake of the Shunin incident, though that was following a recommendation from the RPL rather than an order.
The FA also introduced a new rule allowing teams to be punished for fan misbehavior by means of their away support being barred from future games.
The Russian parliament has passed in a crucial second reading legislation that would toughen up sanctions for violence and improper behavior at sports venues.
Russia will host the 2018 World Cup.
