Russian
President, Vladimir Putin, on Sunday, said foreign visitors holding "fan
ID" cards for the 2018 FIFA World Cup could have visa-free entry to Russia
for the rest of 2018.
The
fan IDs which permitted ticket-holders to enter Russia during the World Cup had
initially been due to expire on July 25.
President
Putin said, "Foreign supporters who currently have fan IDs will be able
to benefit from multiple entries into the Russian Federation without a visa
until the end of the year."
Despite
high diplomatic tension between Moscow and the West, world football officials
and personalities as well as world leaders have lined up to praise Russia's
hosting of the tournament.
Russian
leaders revelled in Sunday night's dramatic match after French players lifted
the trophy.
The
game was watched by Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian
President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
Putin
said he had congratulated both leaders. "A score of 4-2 in a final, I
can't remember seeing a score like that and few people could. Both teams were
magnificent...I am sure everyone liked the way they played, and so did I."
Russian
Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Instagram: "A marvellous
final! France are champions. Russia has organised the best World Cup."
The
Russian foreign ministry congratulated France for its victory in an official
tweet. "Congratulations to the @FrenchTeam for their second title and
thank you for this feast of football!," it wrote
Putin
also said Russia could be "proud" of its hosting of the
football World Cup, judging it a success "in every respect"
after Sunday's final.
Putin
also thanked the foreign fans who came to Russia for the tournament.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
