Fans allowed to attend Russian football matches next month

In mid-May, Russia's football association said that the country's Premier League would restart its suspended season from 21 June behind closed doors.

But on Thursday, the association said it had agreed on a compromise with the state consumer health watchdog, adding spectators will be initially allowed to occupy 10 percent of stadiums' seats.

"This is a safe number of fans if all safety measures are observed," the association said, quoted by the country's official anti-coronavirus portal.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said fan support was important for players, calling it "a special emotional component of football."

Due to the coronavirus outbreak football matches have been suspended in Russia since 17 March.