A farewell ceremony is planned to honor the life and career of the renowned Russian journalist and commentator Vasily Utkin. The announcement comes via FC Egrisi through its official report channel, signaling a moment of collective remembrance for a figure who left a lasting imprint on football media in the region.
The farewell will take place on Saturday between 11:00 and 14:00 at the Central Clinical Hospital, which is affiliated with the President of Russia, located at Marshal Tymoshenko Street 25. The organizers emphasized that further details would be shared as they become available, ensuring attendees and viewers have up-to-date information about the proceedings.
Vasily Utkin passed away on March 19, at the age of 53. His career spanned several prominent platforms and eras in Russian sports broadcasting, beginning with his rise to prominence as a football commentator on NTV and NTV-Plus during the mid-1990s. He became a familiar voice on television through the long-running program Football Club, and after his television tenure, he continued to engage audiences with a similar program on his YouTube channel, keeping the discourse around football vibrant and accessible.
Utkin announced a pause in his commentating duties in 2017, though he returned in 2018 to cover a World Cup match involving the Russian national team. In the same year, he also assumed the presidency of the Egrisi football club, which competes in the Medya Football League, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the sport beyond broadcasting. His multifaceted involvement in football—broadcasting, program creation, and club leadership—highlighted a career marked by versatility and a persistent connection to the game and its community.
Earlier reports noted that a rally in memory of Vasily Utkin would precede the match between the Russian and Serbian national teams, a gesture intended to honor his contributions and keep the memory of his work alive among fans and participants alike. The event will be observed by attendees and viewers alike, with organizers ready to provide updates as the situation develops, ensuring the tribute aligns with the respect it warrants and the preferences of those who knew him or followed his career.