Olga Smorodskaya, a former head of Lokomotiv Moscow, emphasized that stadiums in Russia must include dedicated fan stands. She noted that the conversation around football and betting should be framed by legality and responsibility, and that fans deserve clear spaces where they can support their teams without compromising safety or order.
Football has long been about the connection with supporters, not just the players or the club management. Smorodskaya called for a pragmatic compromise that balances the passion of the fan movements with the needs of modern football. She stated that it is possible to accommodate both sides while preserving fair play and public safety, and she expressed a personal commitment to help shape that balance.
She pointed out that not every passionate fan behaves aggressively. If there are agitators or hooligans, those individuals harm the sport and should be addressed. Yet the majority of enthusiastic supporters deserve a constructive role in the game. Smorodskaya argued for the creation of dedicated fan sections where supporters can cheer, organize, and enjoy matches in a supervised environment, free from conflict and disruption.
In the Russian Premier League, there is widespread discussion about the role of Fan IDs and their impact on attendance and fan participation. Active supporters from several clubs have expressed reluctance to attend matches when a Fan ID is required, citing concerns about accessibility, inclusivity, and the overall matchday experience. The debate is part of a broader movement to modernize football governance while keeping fans at the core of the sport.
The upcoming round of the Russian Championship is scheduled to kick off with Rubin Kazan hosting Krylya Sovetov Samara. The fixture is set to begin at 19:30 Moscow time, offering a fresh platform for clubs to demonstrate how fan engagement can coexist with safer, more regulated stadium environments. This moment is seen by many as a test case for how Russian football can evolve while honoring long standing traditions of supporter culture.
Smorodskaya previously commented on the perceptions surrounding key players and their influence on reform efforts. She underscored that leadership changes within clubs are not the sole driver of progress, and that public dialogue with fans remains essential for making meaningful, lasting improvements in the football ecosystem. The emphasis is on preserving the sport’s identity while adopting practical measures that enhance the matchday experience for all attendees.
Overall, the conversation centers on how to blend secure, well organized stadiums with the vibrant energy of the stands. Stakeholders are exploring policies that protect both the integrity of competition and the rights of fans to participate fully in football culture. The path forward involves more than rules on paper; it requires accountable leadership, transparent processes, and a shared commitment to the health and vitality of the game for audiences across Canada and the United States as well as the home market in Russia. [citation: International football governance coverage]