Football continues in Belarus despite pandemic even as fans begin boycotting games - in pics

Around 250 football fans attended match between Neman Grodno and Belshina Bobruisk on Friday

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  FC Neman players come out before their match against Belshina at the Stadyen Neman, Grodno, Belarus. Reuters

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  Football continues to be played in Belarus despite most sport being cancelled across the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters

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  Barely 250 people turned up to watch the match between FC Neman and Belshina at the Stadyen Neman. Reuters

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  FC Neman's Zoran Marusic against Belshina's Maksim Grek in Belarus' Vysheyshaya Liga. Reuters

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  FC Neman's Andrei Vasilyev takes on Belshina's Yevgeni Skoblikov. Reuters

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  FC Neman's Yegor Khvalko during the Vysheyshaya Liga in Belarus. Reuters

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  Some fans are still attending the Vysheyshaya Liga in Belarus. Reuters

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  Match between FC Neman and Belshina at the Stadyen Neman in Grodno. Reuters

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  FC Neman take on Belshina in the Vysheyshaya Liga despite health concerns. Reuters

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  FC Neman's Gegham Kadymyan takes on Belshina's Samuel Odeyobo. Reuters

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  FC Neman fans at the Stadyen Neman. Reuters

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  FC Neman players warm up at Grodno. Reuters

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  People play football outside the Stadyen Neman in Grodno. Reuters

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  Fans arrive at the Stadyen Neman for the match between FC Neman v Belshina. Reuters

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  The Vysheyshaya Liga is still going on amid the pandemic. Reuters

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  Security wearing a mask outside the Stadyen Neman. Reuters

Most of Europe is in lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic but Belarus remains the only country in the region still playing football matches even as a growing number of fans have started boycotting matches.

In the western city of Grodno, local team FC Neman Grodno drew with FC Belshina Bobruisk on Friday in front of almost empty stands. Just 253 people attended, compared to last year when Neman's games were attended by 1,500 people.

The league has proved an unlikely draw for fans overseas who are starved of matches in their own countries.

"Of course, it is the main problem," Belshina coach Eduard Gradoboyev was quoted as saying by Reuters, when asked about the lack of crowd.

"Because football is for spectators. And when you come to a half-empty stadium, especially such a good one like here in Grodno, it is a bit uncomfortable."

Before the match started, Neman players applauded the empty stands in support for spectators staying away.

The Belarus football federation explained its decision to continue playing because only a small number of coronavirus cases had been recorded in the eastern European country.

However, they have not made any statements of late. Latest figures show Belarus has 2,226 Covid-19 cases, with 23 deaths.