Cancellation of a match and cultural activities in Russia following a terrorist attack in the suburbs of Moscow

The Russian Football Federation announced the cancellation of the international friendly match scheduled against Paraguay on Monday in Moscow, following the terrorist attack that took place near the capital.

On Sunday, Russia is witnessing a general national mourning for the victims of the terrorist attack on the hall of the “Crocos” concert center on the outskirts of Moscow, on the thirtieth day of mourning in the country’s modern history.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared March 24 a day of national mourning in a speech to Russian citizens yesterday, in which he described what happened in “Crocus” as a bloody and barbaric act of terrorism, vowing that everyone behind this crime will receive “just and inevitable punishment.”

The match was due to bring Russia and Paraguay together at the VTB Arena in Moscow, after Russia beat Serbia 4-0 on Thursday.

After the terrorist incident, the Russian Football Federation issued a statement announcing the cancellation of the friendly match, in coordination with the Paraguayan Football Federation, in solidarity with the victims of the attack.

It should be noted that Russia was excluded from the FIFA and UEFA competitions in February 2022 as part of the sanctions campaign and pressure waged by the United States and its allies in its indirect war with Moscow in Ukraine.

On Saturday, the Russian Football Federation announced the postponement of all matches in its competitions scheduled for this weekend.

The Russian Ministry of Emergencies announced in a statement issued on Sunday that the number of victims of the terrorist attack rose to 133 in addition to the injury of 152 people, noting the continuation of rubble removal operations after the fire.

The Russian emergency statement quoted updated data issued by its headquarters in the Moscow region and said: “As a result of the terrorist attack, 285 people were injured (including 8 children), of whom 133 people died (including 3 children).”

The launch of the ninth international conference between Russia and China in Moscow