Narva Trans will start their home campaign without supporters after the club was told its first two matches in Narva must be played behind closed doors.
The club had planned to stage Saturday’s Premium liiga opener against Harju Laagri and Tuesday’s Estonian Cup quarter-final against Viimsi in the city’s indoor football hall, after construction work ruled out using Kalev-Fama Stadium.
However, Narva’s authorities have not granted permission for fans to attend amid ongoing safety concerns linked to the hall. An expert assessment in February reportedly deemed the venue unsuitable, with training currently allowed only for Narva’ first team under a special permit.
Narva indoor hall was opened in 2024 after a EUR 7mil investment but closed the following year after the pneumatic dome began to sag under snow. Consequently, the hall was deemed unsafe and closed, prohibiting use in snowy conditions. The dome was pending demolition but municipal government is in deadlock about the future of the hall, having rejected results of the safety inspection carried out at the end of last year.
Narva Trans president Nikolai Burdakov said the club had written to Narva mayor Katri Raik and city economics department director Natalja Šibalova requesting approval to host the two fixtures indoors, and had hoped to admit up to 150 spectators.
“The response to our appeal was that the matches will take place, but without spectators. Of course it is bad for us. But authority is authority,” Burdakov acknowledged.
Trans host Harju in Premium liiga on 7th of March (17:00) and welcome Viimsi for the Cup fixture on 11th of March (18:00).
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Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/trans-peab-mangima-hooaja-esimesed-kodumatsid-ilma-pealtvaatajateta
