A well-known local football figure, Dmitry Sennikov, who spent his career with Lokomotiv Moscow and represented the Russian national team, weighed in on the English Premier League’s move to phase out male ball handlers due to the perceived edge it gives the home side. He remarked that this shift could signal a broader global trend away from ball boys, while also stressing that serving the balls has long provided valuable experience and motivation for young men seeking to break into professional football.
Sennikov pointed out that the home team sometimes benefits from quicker ball retrieval during play. He noted incidents that illustrate the tension around ball handling, including moments of strategic instruction from coaches to delay returning the ball to opponents. He recalled a match involving Ilya Lantratov and Khimki playing away against SKA-Khabarovsk, where a ball delivery incident caused controversy. In Sennikov’s view, even when the ball bearer is a youth, the role carries responsibility and should be performed consistently, without favoritism toward one side. He emphasized that the ball must be delivered promptly to keep the game flowing, and that the job should be carried out with professionalism regardless of age. (Citation: Expert commentary on ball delivery practices in professional football.)
The Premier League’s decision to stop using ball pickers aims to reduce the perceived advantage enjoyed by the home team when dispatching the ball. Going forward, balls will be positioned behind the touchlines along the field’s perimeter on designated cones, from which players will collect them as play resumes. This procedural change seeks to create a more level playing field and minimize any inadvertent advantage tied to ball handling. (Citation: League policy update and aligns with ongoing debates about match integrity.)
In related developments, a former Dynamo player has engaged in ongoing debates with Slutsky over tactical approaches and procedural changes within the sport. These exchanges highlight how shifts in game administration can ripple through teams and fans alike, influencing training, preparation, and on-field decision-making. (Citation: Interview series on coaching perspectives and league policy.)