In new football season, Chechnya retains practice of forcing fans to attend "Akhmat" FC's matches

In the first home match of the Russian Premier League football championship, the "Akhmat" Football Club (FC) lost to "Sochi" FC. Residents of Chechnya complained about being forced to attend the team's match.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Grozny budget-funded employees and students repeatedly complained about being forced to attend matches of the "Akhmat" FC under threat of dismissal from work or expulsion from the university. Even residents of surrounding localities, including women, are forcibly taken to the matches; and they often have to get home after the match on their own.

In a school of the Achkhoi-Martan District, in the teachers' room, along with the schedule of classes and extracurricular activities, a schedule of matches of the "Akhmat" FC has recently appeared. The schedule presents only those matches held at the main stadium in Grozny. Each date is accompanied by a list of teachers who should go and cheer for the team.

An employee of this school named Rumisa told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that earlier teachers and high school pupils were taken to the stadium by bus. "Now classes have not yet begun, therefore, not only teachers, but also technicians and electricians are on the list of forced football fans. In short, all those who should be at school at the moment. To get away, to come up with a reason that someone has to be at home urgently, does not work. If you don't go yourself, then you should find a replacement," she said.

According to her story, they have neglected even the fact that a school employee had not been vaccinated against COVID-19. At the entrance to the stadium, no one demanded a vaccination certificate. Those who were in control were not interested; their main point was to have the stands full.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 3, 2021 at 04:24 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.