The Ekaterinburg Arena will host four matches during the World Cup.GETTY IMAGES
On a cold winter day in February, residents of an apartment block in the World Cup city of Yekaterinburg were "abruptly cut off from their main access road, front yard and parking spaces," according to Natalia Shurmina of REUTERS. A metal security fence now separated them from the football stadium that will host four matches during the World Cup. The 3m-high barrier, which is monitored by CCTV cameras, "stretches for several blocks and will stay up until August, though the month-long tournament finishes on July 15." Police warned residents "not to use their balconies, open their windows or stand near their windows on match days in case they are mistaken for attackers and shot by police snipers." Resident Elena Mormol said, "We now live in a zoo behind a fence. The entrance to our apartment building is under siege." Heightened security has not only created problems in Yekaterinburg. Residents of other host cities say that the security measures are "disproportionately disruptive and take scant account of the interests of ordinary Russians." Yevgeny Chernov said, "Everything that is being done, it turns out, is not for people or fans ... but just so officials can report on work that has allegedly been carried out. We were not consulted about anything that has been done. In our country, there isn't a particular need for people or ideas, just for people who pay taxes and silently agree with everything" (REUTERS, 6/11).
TRAINING GROUND FENCE: In London, Christian Gysin reported a "ring of steel" will surround England when it arrives in Russia on Tuesday to compete at the 2018 World Cup. Security at England's training ground at the small community Spartak Stadium was "being upgraded on Sunday." A 6ft fence surrounding the stadium was being increased to 13ft -- reportedly at the request of the FA. Work continued "into late afternoon" on Sunday to ensure the newly-adopted "England stadium" would be kept safe and "shuttered from the prying eyes of the media." The England team will be based in Repino -- a small hamlet 19 miles northwest of St. Petersburg -- with a population of only 2,500 (DAILY MAIL, 6/10).
