The midfielder representing the Russian national team and CSKA Moscow, Ivan Oblyakov, responded to controversial remarks made by Zenit president Alexander Medvedev regarding horse taming. The statement drew immediate attention after a post-match moment in which Medvedev compared the team’s performance to taming horses, a comparison that became a talking point across the league. Oblyakov expressed a clear distance from the idea, stating that the notion is not acceptable and that he personally cannot influence it, though he stressed his disapproval of the sentiment publicly. The remark itself was noted by Sports24 as part of the ongoing debate about language used by club executives and how it can be perceived by fans and players alike.
Medvedev’s comment followed a Super League game in which Zenit’s women’s team secured a victory over CSKA. He later reiterated the phrase about taming horses, drawing scrutiny in a matchday environment where conversations around sportsmanship and respectful discourse were already prominent. Another notable moment in Medvedev’s recent remarks involved a separate post-match remark about meat, a comment that had generated additional controversy following the hockey match between SKA and Spartak. The broader reaction highlighted a climate in which outspoken statements by club leaders can ripple across the sport, affecting perceptions of the clubs involved and influencing the tone of media coverage.
In the Russian Premier League standings, CSKA has spent 17 rounds competing and has earned 28 points, placing them in a tie for fourth alongside Lokomotiv and Dinamo. In the most recent round, CSKA defeated Rostov with a 2-0 scoreline, with goals credited to Fedor Chalov and Victor Mendez. Krasnodar reclaimed the top spot by defeating Orenburg 2-1, while Zenit slipped to second place after their latest result. Krylia Sovetov entered the top three on the ladder following the weekend’s outcomes, reflecting the close battle at the top of the table. The shifts in momentum illustrate how tightly contested the league remains as clubs vie for elite positions and European qualification.
There has also been a purge or restructuring in Zenit and CSKA circles, as a former Zenit player who previously served as head coach of CSKA has left that role. The exit underlines the high turnover that can accompany leadership changes in major Russian clubs, especially when performance pressures align with off-field controversies. Clubs in the league continue to navigate the balance between competitive ambitions and the social responsibilities that come with public leadership, underscoring how managerial decisions can intersect with on-pitch results and league standings. The broader environment remains dynamic, with fans keenly watching both tactical shifts and the statements made by top club officials, which often become part of the narrative surrounding each matchday.