Russia cancels Paraguay friendly following Moscow attack

By Reuters
March 24, 2024
Law enforcement officers are seen deployed outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024. — AFP
Law enforcement officers are seen deployed outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024. — AFP

MOSCOW: Russia have cancelled Monday’s friendly international against Paraguay in Moscow following Friday’s shooting rampage near the capital city, the Russian Football Union (RFU) said on Saturday.

At least 115 people were killed after gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons in a concert hall near Moscow, with Islamic State militant group claiming responsibility.

Russia, banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions in February 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, can only play friendly games and defeated Serbia 4-0 on Thursday at Moscow’s VTB Arena, and were due to play Paraguay at the same venue on Monday. “In connection with the terrorist attack that occurred in Krasnogorsk, the Russian Football Union and the Paraguayan Football Association decided to cancel a friendly match between the national teams of Russia and Paraguay,” the RFU said in a statement.

All entertainment and mass events in Russia had been cancelled on Friday by the Russian Culture Ministry and the RFU announced on Saturday that they have postponed all matches in their competitions scheduled for this weekend.