The World Cup final between France and Croatia on Sunday was briefly interrupted when four intruders affiliated to anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot ran onto the pitch before being hauled off by stewards. The pitch invaders, who were dressed in police-style outfits, were later detained by police, one of them told Reuters by telephone from a police station near Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, venue for the match.
Police said they were investigating the four on suspicion of violating rules for spectating at a sporting event as well as for illegally wearing police uniforms, the Interfax news agency reported. The former infraction carries a maximum fine of up to 10,000 rubles ($159.92) or 160 hours’ community service with a ban on attending sports events of up to three years. Wearing a police uniform illegally carries a fine of 1,000 to 1,500 rubles.
The pitch invasion was the first significant security lapse in the five-week tournament that has won hosts Russia widespread praise for organization and efficiency. Three of Pussy Riot’s original members were jailed in 2012 for staging a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin in a church and the group has since become a symbol of anti-Kremlin direct action.
In the second half of Sunday’s match, the three people wearing white shirts with police-style epaulettes, black trousers and police hats ran out on the pitch from the area behind the French goal. A fourth person tried to run onto the pitch but was tackled on the sidelines.