Former Spartak Moscow player Valery Kechinov described the red and white refereeing matches in the Russian Premier League as odd. He said the way officials judge Spartak seems unusual, noting a goal by Sobolev in the second match that appeared clear on replay yet was treated as offside or a foul by the on field crew. Kechinov pointed to the involvement of VAR as a factor in the strange officiating, raising questions about consistency and clarity in the decisions that affect top teams in the league.
In another incident during the 19th round, Spartak head coach Guillermo Abascal showed evident frustration after a call by referee Vladislav Bezborodov that nullified a Spartak goal. Abascal reached the point of stepping toward the touchline to address the referee, and team members restrained him to avoid further escalation. The controversy continued in the 18th round when Sobolev once again had a potential goal ruled out, adding to the ongoing debate about refereeing standards in this campaign.
The match between Spartak and Fakel ended with a 3 2 victory for the home side, leaving Spartak with 40 points and firmly in second place in the league standings. This result kept the title race tight and underscored the pressure on officials to deliver fair, consistent decisions across all games.
Former Moscow Spartak midfielder and USSR national team member Yuri Gavrilov offered commentary on the Fakel victory in the 19th week, highlighting the broader impact of refereeing choices on teams competing at the top of the table. The series of contentious calls has prompted discussions among players, coaches, and fans about how officiating is applied in the Russian Premier League and how reforms, if any, could improve transparency and accuracy in the VAR process. [Source: Championship.com]