Leonid Fedun, once at the helm of Spartak Moscow, recalls the decision around the Otkritie Arena roof during its construction. He explains that the roof was not built because of the prohibitive cost, a choice made in the club’s early days when finances were tight. Fedun’s own words capture the moment: the roof would have doubled the stadium’s price, and the funds simply were not available. Yet the stadium opened, a roofless venue that still hosted big crowds and memorable matches, proving that ambition can outpace expense even when some features are left off the top.
“I once thought the expense would be too much for me,” Fedun notes, reflecting on the practicalities of stadium finance. “Back then, building a roof would have doubled the cost, and I did not have such funds. They managed without a roof, and 45 thousand spectators came to the good games,” he says, underscoring how strong fan turnout can sustain a club through cost constraints.
In a broader shift, the summer prior saw Lukoil acquire full ownership of Spartak, signaling a new era for the club. With that change, Fedun stepped down as club president and subsequently resigned from the board of directors. Fedun had stewarded Spartak since 2004, a period during which the team captured the Russian Premier League title in the 2016/17 season and lifted the National Cup in 2021/22. His tenure is often recalled for steady leadership and for steering Spartak through a mix of triumphs and challenges, including the evolution of the club’s infrastructure and brand under his watch.
As of the latest season, Spartak sits in fourth place in the Russian Premier League, accumulating 16 points. The team’s standing reflects a competitive campaign within a league renowned for its depth and history, where every point matters in the pursuit of domestic glory and European qualification.
Earlier reports had noted a potential name change for Spartak stadium, a topic that often surfaces in discussions about club identity and branding as ownership structures evolve. The dialogue around naming rights and stadium naming rights remains a recurring theme in Russian football, illustrating how business decisions intersect with fan culture and tradition. Attribution: statements attributed to Leonid Fedun during discussions about Spartak’s stadium, roof considerations, and leadership transition, including the 2004–present period of club stewardship and key achievements. The account reflects published remarks and widely reported events surrounding the club’s ownership changes and performance history.