A former Russia international, Andrei Arshavin, spoke after a Russian Cup match in St. Petersburg where Zenit’s Brazilian-born player Wendel faced an incident involving a banana thrown from the stands at Volga. The game took place on February 25 in Ulyanovsk and finished with Zenit securing a 3-0 win.
Arshavin reflected on the moment, noting that such a scene hadn’t occurred in Russia for two decades. He downplayed the wider impact, explaining that the young spectator who threw the fruit acted on impulse and that Wendel did not seem to dwell on the incident. He suggested that rare acts could be treated as isolated issues and that authorities would handle the matter appropriately, adding that the overall situation was manageable and not a crisis.
During the live broadcast, observers clearly saw a spectator throw a banana as Wendel left the pitch. In response, the Ulyanovsk club faced penalties: a fine of 500,000 rubles and a ban on spectators for a home Russian Cup match as part of a security review.
On March 10, officials disclosed that the perpetrator had been identified. The individual is a resident of Ulyanovsk, born in 2004. In line with the Russian Administrative Offenses Code, the case was documented under Article 20.31, which covers violations of spectator conduct at official sports events. An administrative protocol was prepared, and the matter is scheduled to proceed to court for discussion.
Earlier reports from Volga’s region had suggested that a fan who threw a banana at Wendel could be allowed to attend future games, though that possibility is intertwined with ongoing investigations and disciplinary reviews. The incident underscores the careful balance clubs must strike between maintaining a welcoming atmosphere and enforcing strict standards of conduct at competitive matches.
The episode also highlights the ongoing responsibilities of national federation officials, stadium authorities, and police to monitor fan behavior and uphold safety standards. As investigations continue, clubs and players emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and the need to deter any actions that could endanger participants or other supporters. Fans are reminded that stadiums operate under codes of conduct designed to protect everyone involved, and violations carry consequences that can affect attendance, match integrity, and the broader perception of the sport in the country.