A former CSKA and USSR national team defender, Vladimir Ponomarev, weighed in on the recent airport incident involving Pavel Mamaev, the former army club and national team midfielder. Ponomarev spoke candidly to a media outlet about the episode, offering his assessment of Mamaev’s conduct and its fallout.
The veteran described Mamaev as having fallen from a once-promising trajectory. He suggested that after a career that showed great potential, Mamaev’s reputation suffered due to choices made after retirement. According to Ponomarev, the former player descended into unhealthy habits and allowed money to influence his behavior, which distorted his public image and personal life. The defender emphasized that the past achievements do not excuse current missteps and warned that continued excess could lead to serious consequences.
Ponomarev remarked that it is not productive to dwell on past errors or to insist that Mamaev has already achieved lasting success. He argued that recent events illustrate a pattern and noted that alcohol-related issues can exacerbate problems. The veteran suggested that the situation on the flight reflected a broader personal struggle and noted that outside observers should not overlook the human factors involved when a public figure encounters such difficulties.
According to Ponomarev, conversations with Mamaev in earlier years had shown potential for a constructive path, yet the narrative shifted as challenges mounted. He conveyed concern that if Mamaev does not address these problems, the consequences could worsen. The comments were offered in a spirit of concern for the athlete’s wellbeing and safety rather than as a tabloid critique.
Reports from a Telegram channel around January 10 described the incident on a Flydubai flight from Moscow to Dubai. The account claimed Mamaev was dissatisfied with a stroller request from flight attendants, and that tensions rose as the plane prepared for departure. The official line from the airline indicated a technical issue led to a delay until the evening. As passengers began to disembark, reports claimed Mamaev refused to leave the economy cabin without the stroller and used harsh language. Mamaev has since denied these allegations, stating that he did not react in the manner described by the channel.
Previous statements attributed to Mamaev regarding the incident acknowledged that the exchange occurred but offered a different perspective on the words exchanged in the moment. The full context of the interaction remains a matter of public debate, with various sources presenting competing versions of events. In the days that followed, observers continued to scrutinize the episode, weighing the potential impact on Mamaev’s career and public standing. The episode has sparked discussions about conduct, personal responsibility, and how former athletes navigate life after competitive sports.