MOSCOW, July 289 (R-Sport) – Police arrested 31 people at a weekend football match between local rivals CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow, a spokesperson for Russia’s Interior Ministry told RIA Novosti on Monday.
Sunday’s arrests, which the ministry said were made for “various offenses,” came five days after President Vladimir Putin put his signature on legislation designed to clamp down on violence at Russian sporting events.
The so-called Fan Law, which is aimed at keeping the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia safe from hooligans, comes into effect on January 19, 2014. There have been more than 14,000 offenses committed at Russian sporting events over the last three years, according to Sports Ministry figures.
Local police said the game at Lokomotiv Stadium drew roughly 21,000 spectators, including 6,000 CSKA supporters.
CSKA picked up their second win in Russian Premier League play this season, beating Lokomotiv 2-1.
