Russia: Sports minister condemns use of water cannons to disperse supporters

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has condemned police for the use of water cannons to disperse fans during the match between Shinnik Yaroslavl and Spartak Moscow (0-1, Russian Cup, round of 32) on the 30/10/2013. Clashes between supporters of both clubs stopped the game for twenty minutes, and police intervened with water cannons.

"When you see water cannons, these are horrible images for a country that is preparing for the World Cup. I have a feeling we have regressed 15 or 20 years. These [water cannons] are used at mass disturbances when it’s impossible to stop them. But this was a stadium, of course; it’s not normal," said Vitaly Mutko, who has also been a member of the Executive Committee of FIFA (Federation Internationale Football Association) since 2009 and was president of the Russian Football Federation from 2005 to 2010.

Spartak Moscow were ordered to play two home matches behind closed doors: the derby against Lokomotiv (losing 3-1 on the 03/11/2013) and the match against Zenit St. Petersburg (on the 10/11/2013).

• During the Shinnik Yaroslavl and Spartak Moscow match…