MOSCOW, May 14: Russia’s president has signed a decree allowing visa-free entry for spectators of next week’s Champions League final.

Dmitry Medvedev also signed an amended law on Wednesday that will allow the suspension of visa regulations for other special events, such as the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The Champions League final next Wednesday in Moscow pits English teams Manchester United and Chelsea against each other at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.

The tens of thousands of British fans attending the game will be allowed into Russia without visas as long as they can show tickets to the match. Russia has sought to position itself as a major venue for international sports events, but these initiatives have been shadowed by the country’s laborious visa procedure.—AP