The nationwide anti-corruption protests that coincided with Russia Day on Monday may, on the surface, have little to do with the upcoming Confederations Cup.
But instigator-in-chief Alexei Navalny’s detention, along with around 1,400 demonstrators in the aftermath, can be explained in part by the issuing of a presidential decree by Vladimir Putin on May 10 regarding the tournament.
From June 1 to July 12 – the duration of the Confederations Cup and a few days either side – any planned rallies, pickets or protests in Russia would have to be cleared with the authorities and take place in designated zones.