• Fans attend the Vysheyshaya Liga match between Dynamo Brest and Isloch Minsk at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
    Fans attend the Vysheyshaya Liga match between Dynamo Brest and Isloch Minsk at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
  • The Vysheyshaya Liga is being played in Belarus despite despite most sport being cancelled around the world. Reuters
    The Vysheyshaya Liga is being played in Belarus despite despite most sport being cancelled around the world. Reuters
  • A woman installs dummies to mimic audience during the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
    A woman installs dummies to mimic audience during the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
  • A man plays accordion in front of dummies displayed to replace audience in Belarus during the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
    A man plays accordion in front of dummies displayed to replace audience in Belarus during the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
  • Match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch in Belarus on Sunday. AFP
    Match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch in Belarus on Sunday. AFP
  • A football fan has his temperature checked before the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
    A football fan has his temperature checked before the match between Dynamo Brest and FC Isloch. AFP
  • A fan is seen wearing protective face mask during the Vysheyshaya Liga match between Dynamo Brest and Isloch Minsk. Reuters
    A fan is seen wearing protective face mask during the Vysheyshaya Liga match between Dynamo Brest and Isloch Minsk. Reuters
  • Isloch Minsk's Sergei Karpovich in action during the league match in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
    Isloch Minsk's Sergei Karpovich in action during the league match in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
  • Dynamo Brest fans at the OSK Brestsky Stadium. Reuters
    Dynamo Brest fans at the OSK Brestsky Stadium. Reuters
  • Dynamo Brest fans attend a match in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
    Dynamo Brest fans attend a match in Belarus on Sunday. Reuters
  • Dynamo Brest mascot and a cheerleader at the OSK Brestsky Stadium on Sunday. Reuters
    Dynamo Brest mascot and a cheerleader at the OSK Brestsky Stadium on Sunday. Reuters
  • The Dynamo Brest mascot and cheerleaders on Sunday. Reuters
    The Dynamo Brest mascot and cheerleaders on Sunday. Reuters
  • Only a few fabs wore protective face masks while attending the Vysheyshaya Liga on Sunday. Reuters
    Only a few fabs wore protective face masks while attending the Vysheyshaya Liga on Sunday. Reuters
  • Fans at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus. Reuters
    Fans at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus. Reuters
  • Kids at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus. Reuters
    Kids at the OSK Brestsky Stadium in Belarus. Reuters

Football

More than 1,000 fans attend match in only European football league still open - in pics

Supporters defy boycott calls to attend Vysheyshaya Liga in Belarus

The National

April 13, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

More than 1,000 football fans attended Belarus' league match on Sunday despite calls from a growing number of supporters to boycott games due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Belarus is the only country in Europe where the national league is still being played, making it an unlikely draw for fans overseas starved of football action.

In choosing to stay open, the league took its cue from President Alexander Lukashenko, who has resisted imposing strict lockdown measures.

Many fans have chosen to stay away, but more than 1,000 attended the clash between FC Dynamo Brest and Isloch Minsk, one of three games played in the Vysheyshaya Liga on Sunday. Only a relatively small number were seen wearing masks.

Defending champions Brest won 3-1 to go third in the standings after four matches.

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