Putin steps in to defend Russian soccer fans

MOSCOW, March 7 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday defended the right of Russian soccer fans to watch matches free on television.

The president, whose hands-on "I feel for you" style appeals to many Russians, lashed out at a deal on exclusive broadcasts of national championship matches struck by the Russian Football Union and satellite television station NTV+.

"They want to rob us, soccer fans, of free broadcasts of matches," Putin told a Kremlin gathering of top officials. "Under their deal the fans now have to spend money to buy equipment and pay fees."

His message got through in just minutes.

"I will report the situation today to the president," the head of Russia's soccer union, Vitaly Mutko, told Ekho Moskvy radio. "And should we fail to persuade him, the contract may be revised."