Leonid Slutsky, known for his roles as head coach of CSKA Moscow and Rubin Kazan, spoke on the YouTube channel Komment.Shou about the incident involving Lokomotiv Moscow striker Artem Dzyuba after a recent Russian Premier League (RPL) game. Slutsky argued that if a player from abroad had acted similarly, consequences would have been swift and severe, and he emphasized that journalists work to serve the public and fans who follow the sport.
He noted that a young spectator, only 19 years old, rushing out of the stadium could be seen as an expression of fan fervor, but he warned that a journalist approaching a player in another country to film without consent would likely face immediate repercussions. Slutsky stressed that in places like the Netherlands, such behavior would be deemed unacceptable and could result in removal from the venue. He framed the situation as a test of how football culture treats media access in different contexts.
The incident occurred August 12, after Lokomotiv Moscow and wings of the Soviets, Samara, finished 1:1 in a fourth-round RPL match. During the post-match exchange, Dzyuba appeared reluctant to engage with the press and delivered a stern response to questions he deemed unworthy of discussion. He subsequently made pointed remarks that suggested he would only speak to journalists on terms he set. This forced a broader conversation about media access and player interactions with reporters in Russian football.
Dzyuba joined Lokomotiv in February 2023. In May, he signed a new contract that extended through the end of the 2023/24 season, with an option to extend for another year. The club has publicly addressed the event as part of ongoing discussions about media relations and on-field conduct, indicating a need for clear standards in how players and reporters interact in high-pressure moments. The RFU has also commented on the episode, highlighting a commitment to managing events that involve threats or aggressive exchanges between players and media representatives (RFU attribution).
The broader conversation centers on balancing athlete focus and media rights, ensuring that reporters can perform their role while protecting players from aggressive or intimidating behavior. Analysts note that transparent codes of conduct and consistent enforcement across clubs help maintain trust among fans, players, and the press. Observers within the sport agree that respectful dialogue, controlled access, and measured responses during post-match interviews are essential to preserving the integrity of the game and the safety of those present (RFU attribution).