Former Spartak Moscow footballer Anzor Kavazashvili has proposed a stringent cap on foreign players in the starting lineup for clubs competing in the Russian Premier League (RPL). He argues that setting a clear ceiling will create space for domestic talent to emerge and grow, strengthening the national game over the long term.
He stated, with conviction, that a strict limit should be introduced, restricting the number of foreign players in the starting squad of Russian clubs to three. This measure, in his view, would level the playing field for homegrown players who often struggle to secure minutes in teams laden with foreign faces. The aim is to foster a pipeline of local talent that can rise through the ranks and represent Russia with renewed vigor on both domestic and international stages.
At present, the Russian Premier League is permitted to register up to 13 foreign players for the season, and no more than eight can be on the pitch at any given moment. Kavazashvili’s proposal challenges this framework by tightening on-field opportunities for foreign athletes, thereby reshaping squad building, development priorities, and potential transfer strategies for clubs across the league.
Meanwhile, the football world has been adjusting to a broader shift in Russia’s participation in global governance. In spring 2022, both the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend Russia from all competitions under their purview. This decision affected national teams and club teams alike, severing Russia from many of the continent’s most prestigious events and standing as a significant disruption to the domestic game.
As a result, Russian teams did not participate in the Euro 2024 qualifying matches, which were scheduled to take place in Germany the following summer. The absence from these qualifiers underscored the larger realignment taking place in European football and prompted discussions about how Russian clubs could rebuild, compete, and potentially re-enter the European fold in the coming years. The broader implications for player development, sponsorship, and international exposure have been the subject of ongoing debate among analysts, club administrators, and fans alike.
In this context, Kavazashvili has hinted that upcoming matches involving the Russian national team could, over time, merit a place in historical records—reflecting the enduring narratives that press coverage and fan memory often attach to pivotal eras in a nation’s football history. The conversations surrounding these possibilities highlight the tension between safeguarding domestic talent and preserving national competitiveness on the global stage, a balance that many sports systems continually revisit as the game evolves and new talents emerge.