Fedor Smolov, a forward for Moscow Dynamo and a member of the Russian National Team, commented on the remarks made by his former teammate Aleksandr Kokorin about prison. Smolov voiced a measured view, saying that a normal person might face jail time under certain circumstances, but he cautioned against making broad judgments about an individual’s life path. He added that he has known Sasha for many years, and even though their contact is less frequent now, he would not wish anyone to endure what Kokorin experienced. If the difficult episode helped him gain insight and become more thoughtful, Smolov acknowledged that Kokorin had the right to express his opinion about it, even if others disagree. He also stressed that breaking the law is what led to imprisonment, which naturally makes his stance less appealing to some. Mamaev, a close friend with whom Smolov shares a stronger connection, holds a different view. The two players have reached their own conclusions, and the public dialogue around their experiences reflects a spectrum of personal interpretations, as stated by Smolov through the Blue-White press office.
Back in October 2018, Pavel Mamaev, Kokorin, and their associate Alexander Protasovitsky faced a criminal case that centered on two brawls in central Moscow. In one incident, Kokorin allegedly struck a chair at Denis Pak, the head of a state department, causing injury. The legal process that followed led to sentencing in May 2019, when two of the defendants received jail terms in a general regime facility. Mamaev and Protasovitsky were sentenced to one year and five months, while Kokorin was allocated a term of one and a half years. All three were released on parole a few months later, in September of that year. [Reporting records]
Following Kokorin’s release, his career saw a series of moves across Russian clubs and European teams. He played for Sochi, then Spartak Moscow, and even spent time with Fiorentina in Italy. In recent seasons, his professional path took him to Cyprus, where he joined Aris. The arc of Kokorin’s career after the incident illustrates how players navigate life after high-profile disciplinary episodes, balancing rehabilitation with the demands of professional football. [Career updates confirmed by club communications]
In the broader conversation about Kokorin and Smolov, some observers note the dramatic shift from on-pitch performance to public reflection. Former football manager Nikolai Shpilevsky, and others connected to Kokorin, have spoken about Kokorin’s talents and the pressures that come with life in the spotlight. The discussion highlights how athletes handle reputational recovery, media scrutiny, and personal growth beyond the stadium. [Analysis from industry commentators]