Field of Miracles – MK

In July, a new electronic service was launched for Russian football fans – fan card. So far, it is needed to visit the stadiums of five cities, and later it will be required to enter all the arenas where matches of the Russian Premier League are played. The card will make attending football matches more comfortable and safer. The author of “MK” explains what the innovation means for both the spectators and the players, and why it is so important for the fans to stay with the team.

In the spring of 2020, the world faced an unprecedented phenomenon – the coronavirus pandemic. She turned our whole life, including football. In a matter of weeks, the sports stands were empty … And when the tournaments were decided to resume, on TV screens we saw what football without spectators is like. To create at least the appearance of the former atmosphere, the empty stands were covered with banners and mannequins were placed on them, but this helped little: the arenas were depressingly quiet. During television broadcasts in some countries, a pre-recorded noise from the stands was even superimposed on the picture – but it did not work out too convincingly, because the soundtrack, unlike living people, does not respond with chants and applause for each game episode. Yes, all the same stars from the same favorite teams took to the field. But without the fans, football turned out to be somehow fake.

The head coach of the Spanish national team, Luis Enrique, even ironically remarked that playing without spectators is as sad as dancing with your own sister.

Fans are called the twelfth player on the field for a reason. Any footballer will say that without the support of the stands, you run as if with weights on your feet. And vice versa: when loyal fans drive you forward, you fly to the opponent’s goal. Recall at least the legendary Champions League final in 2005, when Liverpool lost after the first half with a score of 0:3, but after the break, the English tribune unanimously sang the anthem of their team and inspired the players – the Reds managed to equalize the score first, and then win . Probably, every fan can remember a similar story. I have her too…

… On March 12, 2011, from the Luzhniki stands, together with my ten-year-old son, I watched with longing how Lokomotiv smashed my beloved Dynamo. The mood was gloomy and gloomy, like the sky above. In the middle of the second half, Dmitry Torbinsky scored the third goal for us. A dank wind chilled his back under the jacket, clearly hinting: it’s time to get ready for home, this is a rout – no options. And then a friend who came with us, a fan of Lokomotiv, began to tease my son: enough, they say, worry about the losers, pain for those who know how to play football. And then my wrinkled wet little sparrow, looking sternly from under his brows, rapped out: “No, Uncle Petya, we have one team.”

Five minutes before the final whistle, I can’t stand it anymore. I get up and suggest that we immediately go home so as not to get into a crush at Sportivnaya after the match, when several thousand joyful or disappointed spectators rush home to warm up. Moreover, everything is clear anyway – five minutes before the final whistle, three goals are not won back. But the son grabs me by the sleeve: “Dad, let’s stay, now there will be a miracle.” There was so much faith in the team in his voice that I give up, shrug my shoulders in confusion and sit back in the already cooled chair. I just don’t want to upset the child even more.

And the football miracle really happened! At the 90th minute, Alexander Samedov scored the first goal against Guilherme. At the 94th minute – Kevin Kuranyi scores the second goal. Incredible! And my son and I, embracing, jump and shout: “More! Let’s!”

We still lost that match. But, returning home under wet snow, both were happy. I am still ashamed of myself: that evening, my son truly believed in the team and turned out to be a more devoted fan than an adult father. But, every time I remember this episode, I understand: it is moments like these that make us a real family, when we are sincerely happy or sad together.

In every victory, as in every defeat, there is a part of the fan soul. Without spectators, football is a completely different game.

The most devoted fans do not miss a single away match, they travel by train, train, bus, or even by bicycle, in both heat and cold. The main thing is to always stay with your favorite team: this is an axiom. So it was when it was necessary to issue a FAN ID to attend the Confederations Cup in 2017, the World Cup in 2018 and for the St. Petersburg Euro matches in 2021. Then I walked and without question stood in line for a FAN ID to take my son to the very match against Spain, when he saw the legendary save of Igor Akinfeev. And then remember children’s eyes full of happiness.

And now, for everyone who really loves his team, it will not be difficult to spend five minutes on the State Services portal, and then the same amount in the MFC office to issue fan card. After all, this is an opportunity to feel like a part of the team and its twelfth player again. Believe me, it’s worth it!

I myself already issued Map both for themselves and for the children.

PS

By the way, my youngest son is already ten years old, and very soon Dynamo will have to play with Lokomotiv again. I hope for a new football miracle and I want to share my emotions with him now.