State Duma Deputy Roman Teryushkov expressed strong criticism in an interview with RB Sport, arguing that Russia’s national team head coach Valery Karpin is not a patriot. Teryushkov’s remarks center on a recent suggestion attributed to Karpin, which proposed that Russian football talent should consider leaving the Russian Premier League in the near term. The deputy viewed this stance as unacceptable for the time being and unacceptable to fans who want a strong domestic league and national team. He argued that the Russian Football Union entrusted Estonian coach Valery Karpin with the helm of the national team, and the situation with his public comments only complicates the task of uniting players and supporters around Russian football.
Teryushkov asserted that Karpin has not only questioned the loyalty of players but has also called into question the cohesion of the squad by encouraging athletes to explore opportunities in countries that do not maintain friendly relations with Russia. The deputy contended that such statements risk dissolving the national team by inviting a broad pool of players with duty commitments, potentially dampening the motivation of those who remain and lowering the public’s enthusiasm for domestic football.
The discussion follows a recent friendly match in which Russia and Qatar played to a 1-1 draw on September 12. In that match, the second-half goal was scored by Ahmed Alaa, a 30-year-old striker associated with the Abu Cairo Samad club. The late equalizer came after a corner kick, when defender Alexander Soldatenkov, 26, from Samara Krylya Sovetov, found the net in the 90th minute, securing a share of the points for the Russian side.
Earlier remarks from Karpin had drawn attention for their own implications about the coach’s future, including a note that he could retire from football before the end of 2023. Teryushkov’s response emphasizes concerns about how leadership messages affect team morale, player recruitment, and the overall trajectory of Russia’s national football program. The debate continues as observers weigh the balance between international exposure for Russian players and the stability and competitiveness of the domestic league. [RB Sport]