Fans are not allowed to support Georgia at football team in Minsk

Riot policemen were not allowing young people enter the ‘Georgian’ sector of Tractor stadium in Minsk. Young people wanted to join fans of Georgia at the game of youth teams of Russia and Georgia in Minsk. At the same time, the state flags of Russia were handed out to football fans at the stadium in an organized manner.

As the Charter’97 press-centre was told by a young activist Palina Dziakava, the riot policemen told the people who wanted to enter the sector that it was a place ‘for those who root for Georgia’. Young people said they were Georgian team’s supporters too, but the policemen stopped them as told to address all questions to the police administration.

Meanwhile, there were many Georgian flags at the stadium; people we wearing scarves with the colors of Georgian flag.

Simultaneously, a prearranged handing out of Russian flags to fans was organized at the stadium. As the Charter’97 press-centre was told by football fans, unknown people in mufti were handing out flags. They didn’t present themselves or showed documents.

The qualifying match of the European championship – 2009 between the youth teams of Russia and Georgia was to take place in Georgia, at Eduard Steltsov stadium, but UEFA commission decided to hold it in a neutral field.