Russia to ratify Council of Europe's convention on sports events security

The Russian government has decided to submit to the president for further ratification a convention of the Council of Europe on an integrated security approach at football matches and other sports events, the government said Saturday in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right back, attends the Confederations Cup, Group A soccer match between Russia and New Zealand, at the St. Petersburg Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 17, 2017. The Confederations Cup has kicked off with host nation Russia opening the World Cup rehearsal tournament against New Zealand. [Photo:  Government Pool Photo via AP/Dmitry Astakhov,Sputnik]

According to the statement, the convention is aimed at promoting international cooperation on ensuring security of spectators at sports events as well as reducing acts of violence and public disorders. 

It also facilitates the creation of a committee on security at sports events, the document added. 

The statement said the draft federal law on ratifying the convention was developed by Russia's Foreign Ministry and Sports Ministry.

The convention, signed by 23 states including Russia so far and ratified by Monaco and France, will enter in force when the member states of the Council of Europe agree to fulfill commitments on its implementation, the statement said.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said on Saturday that its more than 23,000 staff members are ensuring security at events of the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) Confederations Cup, which opened in Russia's St. Petersburg on the same day and will be held in four cities across the country for the following two weeks.