Fans are driven by force to football match, Grozny residents assert

Today, the Akhmad Kadyrov Stadium, opened on May 11 in Grozny, which is the largest sports complex in Northern Caucasus, will host the first official football match between "Terek" Grozny and "Anji" Makhachkala. Some residents of Grozny claim that, same like on May 11, thousands of people will be driven in the "voluntary-compulsory" manner to the stadium.

"Those who ignore the match, as our director told us, won't be admitted to the exams. It was the same on May 11, when we were taken by bus to the opening ceremony of the Akhmad Kadyrov Stadium; they gave us T-shirts and caps with the logo of the 'Terek' team and placed us on the stands as fans. Today will probably be the same," Zaurbek M., a student of one of vocational and technical schools in Grozny told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

University students of the republic also complain of being forced to attend sporting events.

"On the previous occasion (on May 11), it was announced that if someone failed to visit the opening ceremony of the Sports Complex, he won't be granted a diploma. Yesterday we were again warned that today we should act as fans at the match between 'Terek' and 'Anji'. The 'objectors' were threatened not to be admitted to pass tests and examinations," said Islam K., a student of the Chechen State University.

"It is clear that it's rather difficult to fill all the 30,000 seats at the new stadium; thus, the authorities decided to guarantee the attendance. Last time, they drove over 100,000 persons to the opening ceremony; today the same may repeat. Then, the authorities will report that the stadium was packed, and many fans even waited outside," said the source.

According to another student of a technical school in Grozny, they were notified that the entrance to the stadium will be open only from 2 to 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

"We were told not to be late and be in place as early as possible. Besides, the director said that he had bought lottery tickets for us at 300 roubles per ticket. This command (to buy lottery tickets for the event to be held at the Akhmad Kadyrov Stadium, - note of the "Caucasian Knot"), was given to all the managers," he said.

Students and pupils of secondary, special secondary and higher education institutions also argue that under the threat of expulsion or non-admission to exams they are constantly forced to participate in various public events that take place in Grozny, said the source.

The bosses of educational institutions and the authorities in Grozny are still unavailable for comment on the above allegations.

Let us remind you that in the evening on May 20 a football match between the Grozny Football Club "Terek" and the Dagestani team "Anji" will take place at the new sports stadium in Grozny, which bears the name of Akhmad Kadyrov. The match will be preceded by a concert with participation of Russian stars, and after the match fireworks will take place.

A lottery session will be organized at the stadium with the main prize - a VAZ-2107 car. It was announced that tickets for the match will be free of charge, and all the expenses related with matches and other events at the stadium will be covered from the Public Foundation named after Akhmad Kadyrov.