February 5 – FC Moscow has pulled out of the Russian league a month before the start of the 2010 season because of financial problems sparked by failures to secure sponsorship.
The club is owned by Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel and run by a subsidiary, Sports Projects.
The subsidiary said today that it could not justify investing in a Moscow at the expense of the northern city.
“We cannot persuade the residents of Norilsk why the company’s money should be spent in Moscow,” Leonid Isakovich, the head of Sports Projects said.
“With no support from [the city of] Moscow or other structures we consider this project a dead end.
“In my opinion the decision has been taken because, from the point of view of the club’s location and name, it does not fit in with the priorities of Norilsk Nickel, the majority of whose workforce are based in Russia’s polar regions and the Krasnodar territory.”
Montenegrin coach Miodrag Bozovic, his staff and players are expected to be told to find new employers.
There was no immediate reaction from the Professional Football League, which runs the Russian top flight.
FC Moscow were founded in 1997 under the name Torpedo-ZIL.
They finished the 2009 season in sixth place, narrowly missing out on a Europa League spot, and have reached the quarter-finals of the Russian Cup, with ties due to be played in April.
Former Russian champions Alania Vladikavkaz, who finished third in Division One, are now expected to take FC Moscow’s place in the top flight.
FC Moscow may not turn out to be the Premier Liga’s only casualty this season. Samara-based side Krylya Sovetov, who are heavily in debt and are reported to owe some of their players wages and bonuses going back to August, have until February 15 to clear their debts and satisfy the licensing requirements for the coming season.
The 2010 Premier Liga is due to begin on March 13 and continue through the summer.
FC Moscow was due to host Moscow regional club Saturn Ramenskoye on the opening day.