The official site of the British foreign ministry has posted advice for English football fans visiting Moscow for the selection match for Euro-2008 with the Russian national team. Perhaps these instructions will also help other fans visiting Russia, for example fans of Inter (Milan) who will be playing the Russian TSKA team on 23 October.

1. Before you leave, make sure that your visa is valid, and that the dates in the visa match the time you plan to spend in Russia. The British embassy will not be able to extend your visa.

2. On arriving in Russia, you will have to fill out an immigration card. You should give half of the card to the migration service, and keep the second half with your passport – you will need it when you leave Moscow.

3. When you check in to your hotel, your passport and visa information should be registered if you intend to spend more than three days in Moscow.

4. You should keep your passport with you. You may be approached by the police and asked for documents of identification (copies are not valid).

5. Keep a copy of your passport separately in a safe place.

6. Football fans should be careful when consuming alcohol, and be wary of pickpockets, especially in the metro and in bars.

7. Keep your passport and wallet carefully concealed. Pickpockets often target foreign football fans, especially in the metro, in bars and on Red Square.

8. Don’t steal anything: the local authorities will prefer to arrest you rather than deporting or fining you.

9. Don’t take drugs: they are illegal (this also concerns light drugs). You may face a lengthy jail sentence.

10. Don’t smoke or drink on Red Square: this is illegal.

11. Keep an eye on your drink at bars – someone may put something in it. You should avoid bars at railway stations and strangers you offer to buy you a drink.

12. Don’t come to the stadium drunk – you may not be admitted.

13. If you arrested, ring the embassy at 956 7298 (from Moscow). This line operates 24 hours a day. We will endeavor to help you, but if you break the law we will not be able to protect you from arrest.

14. The embassy cannot give you money in any circumstances.