By David Gold
November 17 – FIFPro has attacked the Russian Football Union (RFU) for their decision to ban FC Krasnodar striker Spartak Gogniyev (pictured) after he was sent-off during a game against Terek Grozny earlier this month, before being assaulted as he left the pitch.
Terek officials claimed that Gogniyev shouted obscenities at players and the crowd during the game, and at the game’s conclusion he was set upon by a group, including officials from the home team and security staff in the tunnel.
Gogniyev had to go to hospital after the attack, but will have to pay R50,000 ($16,000/ £10,000/€12,000) as well as miss six games after being found guilty of intentionally pushing a referee during the game, which Krasnodar lost 2-0 on November 4.
In a statement, FIFPro expressed its astonishment at the decision and said that it was “very disappointed with the Russian football association, which again failed to act decisively against a club that has displayed serious misconduct.
“In fact, the only one who was really tackled firmly by the Russian FA was the player, Spartak Gogniyev, who had been physically abused.”
FIFPro’s Eastern Europe representative, the former Serbia and Montenegro international Dejan Stefanović, added: “Now we know what it costs to beat up a player €12,000 ($16,000).
“We cannot understand why the club is not being severely sanctioned.
“A player was beaten up and had to undergo an operation in a hospital, and the only punishment is a ridiculous fine and a one-year ban for two low-profile members of the staff of Terek Grozny.
“This ruling is a disgrace to the entire football world; we will discuss this in all possible forums, for example during our meetings with FIFA and UEFA.”
Magomed Magomaev, the Terek reserve team coach, and his assistant Islam Soltaev, were both banned for a year for their role in the incident, as well as receiving a R500,000 fine.
Terek were also fined the same amount for failing to provide adequate security, and last week the Russian national team came out for training ahead of their friendly with Greece wearing t-shirts proclaiming their support for the former Russia international Gogniyev.
Many in Russia have been shocked by the scenes at the end of the game, as well as what some perceive as silence from senior figures since the attack.
Terek Grozny are no strangers to controversy, owned by colourful billionaire Ramzan Kadyrov (pictured right with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev), who has close links to the Kremlin and to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
He has spent huge sums trying to turn the club into a major force in Russian football, employing Ruud Gullit as coach at the start of the season, though he was later fired for poor results.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734834581labto1734834581ofdlr1734834581owedi1734834581sni@d1734834581log.d1734834581ivad1734834581