LONDON, England (CNN) -- English football fans hoping to travel to Moscow for this month's Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea face spiraling costs and an anxious wait for visas amid a simmering diplomatic row between the UK and Russia. Chelsea fans hoping to follow their side to Moscow face hefty expenses and an anxious wait over visas. Upwards of 50,000 fans are expected to travel to the May 21 match from the UK, defying expensive flights and warnings about a shortage of accommodation in the Russian capital -- one of the world's most expensive cities. But there were fears on Thursday that Russia's stringent visa requirements for British citizens could further complicate matters for fans.
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English fans face spiraling expenses, visa anxiety ahead of European Cup final
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The Russian Embassy criticizes UK for tightening Russian visa requirements
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Up to 50,000 Chelsea and Manchester United fans expected to go to Moscow
Flights from @placeholder to Moscow on the day of the match, returning the following day were available for around $1,600 over the internet on Thursday.