News story

Kuban Krasnodar vs Swansea City

Advice for fans travelling to Russia for Swansea City’s match with Kuban Krasnodar on 7th November 2013.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Published: 23 October 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Football kick

Date: 7th November 2013

Venue: Kuban Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia

Kick off time: 21:00 (local time)

As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Russia

Passports and visas

Please remember to check your passport and visa details:

• British citizens need a visa to travel to Russia, and your passport should be valid for a further three months after your Russian visa expiration date
• Your European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Russia, so travel/health insurance is essential, even if you’re only going for one night - it could save you a lot of money if you find yourself in difficulty
• It is essential you carry your passport with your Russian visa and migration/registration card with you at all times – in particular, you’ll need to carry your passport to the match to gain entry to the stadium
• The police conduct ID checks, and want to see original documentation
• If you lose your passport or have it stolen, you should report the loss to the local police as soon as possible in the first instance and obtain a police report or confirmation of loss from the police
• The British Embassy can then provide you with an emergency travel document and advise on how to obtain an exit visa so that you can leave Russia and return home

Getting to the stadium

Advice on getting to the stadium:

• Trolleybus 3
• Trams 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 20
• Minibuses (marshrutki) 15, 37, 65, 44, 27
• Stadium website with map (in Russian)

At the match

Advice for when you’re at the match:

• Access to the stadium can be slow
• There will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the turnstiles
• To avoid a last minute bottleneck please try to get to the stadium early
• No bottles and cans are allowed to be brought into the ground and alcohol is banned within the stadium
• No sharp objects, lighters, fireworks, or objects that can be used as a weapon are allowed
• Flags and banners without poles are allowed subject to size and message content
• Musical instruments are permitted but checked at the entrance
• Smoking is allowed only in the “smoking areas”
• Standing during the game is allowed

Tips

Helpful tips for the local area:

• Tap water has to be boiled before drinking
• As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport
• Only carry what you need, leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits
• Pickpockets operate on the Metro and in tourist areas
• Acts of theft will be prosecuted rather than fined or deported

Minimise the risks

Some important information to note:

• Security at the Stadium will be strict and uncompromising – refrain from antagonising the police even if you believe you are in the right
• Carry your passport at all times
• The police conduct ID checks, and want to see originals
• Carry a note of the address of your hotel (in both English and Russian) – it can help people give you directions and ensure that taxi drivers know where you want to go
• Keep the number of valuables you carry to a minimum - passport, a credit card, your phone and some money - and ensure they are secure (not in back pockets)
• Change money at a bank, hotel, or in exchange kiosks – it is illegal to exchange money in the street
• Carry the contact number for your travel insurer at all times
• Carry the address and telephone number of the Embassy so you can call for help
• Leave a copy of your passport and other important documents safe in your hotel in case you lose the originals
• Don’t carry weapons of any sort – they will be confiscated and could get you arrested

Drink and drugs

Please be aware of the following:

• Be vigilant when drinking - pickpockets may operate in some bars
• Don’t leave drinks unattended – drink spiking is not uncommon
• Beware of strangers offering to buy drinks for you
• Don’t turn up drunk at the stadium – security will be tough and you will be refused entry
• Russia operates a zero tolerance policy on the possession and use of drugs, whether hard or soft
• Penalties are severe and can result in long jail sentences

Emergency services numbers

Useful numbers:

• International emergency number (from your mobile): 112

• Police: 02 (from Russian public phones only)

• Ambulance: 03 (from Russian public phones only)

• International SOS (Private, English-speaking ambulance): +7 495 937 5760

Relevant British Embassy address and telephone numbers

British Embassy in Moscow
10 Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya,
Moscow, Russia, 121099

• Embassy Switchboard: +7 495 956 7200

Embassy in Russia

The nearest Metro to the Embassy is SMOLENSKAYA/СМОЛЕНСКАЯ (Light Blue line; Dark Blue line)

What the British Embassy can do

• If you lose your money or are robbed, the Embassy can help you transfer funds from friends or family in the UK, but cannot provide you with money in any circumstances
• If you lose your passport or have it stolen, the Embassy can provide you with an emergency travel document so that you can leave Russia and return home
• If you are detained or arrested in Moscow, insist on contacting the Embassy on 8 495 956 7200 (from within Moscow) or +7 495 956 7200 (if calling from a UK mobile)
• This number is available 24 hours a day
• Embassy staff can make sure you are being treated fairly, but if you have broken the law, they cannot arrange for you to be released from detention, nor can they pay fines. In the case of serious injury or illness, the Embassy can help you contact a member of your family and your travel insurance company

Published 23 October 2013