Prime Minister Vlad Filat announced he had a short discussion with the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov during the football match between Sheriff and FC Basel that was played in Tiraspol on August 24. “We discussed football-related issues and conferred on the measures that must be taken to build confidence between the working groups,” Vlad Filat said on August 25, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Vlad Filat said he made no request to be allowed to enter the stadium in Tiraspol and got to the city without impediments owing to the steps taken until now. “I informed that I want to watch the game and enjoyed good viewing conditions,” the Premier said. “I don't think I brought bad luck to Sheriff. On the contrary, I offed support to this team, which is Moldova's team, in the international tournament.” On August 24, Sheriff lost to Switzerland's Basel 0-3. In September 2009, the Transnistrian authorities did not allow Vlad Filat to attend the encounter between Sheriff and Steaua Bucharest in Tiraspol.