In a recent Media Football League clash between 2DROTS and Amkal in Nizhny Novgorod, tensions flared when Dmitry Kuznetsov, the coach of 2DROTS and a former player for CSKA Moscow as well as the USSR national team, confronted a journalist from the Telegram channel Media Arena, Yuri Mnatsakanov, during the game day events. The incident was notable for its abrupt escalation and the sequence of actions that followed on the pitch and in the surrounding area.
Witnesses described a confrontation that escalated quickly. Kuznetsov reportedly struck the journalist’s phone out of his hand and engaged in a physical push, actions that were subsequently halted by others nearby. An assistant coach from 2DROTS, Albert Oskolkov, was also involved in the altercation, according to accounts from Mnatsakanov and those present at the venue. After the incident, Oskolkov offered an apology to Mnatsakanov, while Kuznetsov did not issue any public apology. Mnatsakanov noted that two separate interviews with Kuznetsov presented a denial of responsibility and contained statements he perceived as misinformation. Mnatsakanov described Kuznetsov’s public statements, including a claim that he did not have permission to film him, and argued that such assertions amounted to a misrepresentation of the events that occurred on that day . Despite the coach’s responses in the media, Mnatsakanov indicated a desire to pursue formal measures, stating that the lack of an admission of guilt prompted him to submit a report to law enforcement authorities for review .
The incident took place during a quarter-final rematch in the Media Football League, a high-stakes setting where both teams sought advancement. The broader context of the rivalry added to the intensity of the moment. In their first meeting, 2DROTS edged Amkal with a 2-1 result, a performance that Amkal would later counter in the rematch by repeating the same scoreline in regular time. Ultimately, the outcome was decided in a penalty shootout, where 2DROTS held the advantage with a 4-3 score, illustrating how the match’s competitive pressure may have contributed to the event’s volatility. Observers noted that the on-pitch embattlement did not derail the game’s overall competitiveness, even as players and staff from both teams navigated the episode’s repercussions .
Beyond the on-field confrontation, there were broader conversations about media access, player and coach conduct, and the responsibilities of sports organizations to ensure safety for journalists covering major games. The league’s response and any subsequent disciplinary actions were not detailed in the immediate coverage, but the incident has sparked ongoing discussions among players, coaches, media representatives, and league officials about maintaining professional standards under high-pressure circumstances .
In parallel coverage, reports circulated concerning UEFA’s handling of an unrelated matter involving an injured Hungarian national team player. In that narrative, UEFA was reported to have denied claims that the treatment of the injured player was slow, adding a separate thread to the wider conversation about protocol, timing, and accountability in professional football contexts. Observers stressed the importance of accurate, timely medical attention and transparent communication in all levels of the sport, noting that such aspects influence the integrity of competition and the safety of players .