In week 33 of the First League, the playoff participants who will battle for a spot in the Russian Premier League have been decided.
Yenisei from Krasnoyarsk and Motherland advanced in joint efforts. The Siberians won away at Kuban 2-0, while the Moscow club defeated Volga Ulyanovsk 1-0. In the standings, the two teams sit roughly in fourth and fifth place. It is important to note that Alania Vladikavkaz, currently third, will not take part in the playoffs due to a licensing issue tied to the lack of a home stadium.
The race for the top position in the First League remains open. Rubin and Baltika are contending for first place, with direct access to the Premier League on the line.
There was a global consequence as well. The International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend Russia’s national team and all Russian clubs from participation in their competitions.
Beyond the pause in European competition, Russian clubs outside Zenit did not play a European match in 2022. Zenit reconstructed their campaign, reaching the 1/16 finals of the Europa League but falling 2-3 on aggregate to Real Betis, a Spanish opponent.
Former coach Gadzhi Gadzhiev asserted that a restructuring of the Russian Premier League is needed to address current competitive and financial realities. (citation: FIFA/UEFA decisions; statements by Gadzhi Gadzhiev)