Alexander Mostovoy, the former midfielder of the Russian national team, suggested that his presence could influence officiating within Russia. He told Champions.com that taking the whistle could help reduce mistakes on the field. He remarked that if he were in charge, he would stand up and say plainly when a decision does not reflect the spirit of the game. He noted that a penalty should be judged by the actual actions of the ball and players, not by small incidental contacts such as a fingertip brushing the ball, especially when a pass has not occurred. He described such calls as a misinterpretation of the rules and a missed opportunity to protect the integrity of play. Still, he emphasized that officiating is always complicated and that clear explanations are essential for players and fans alike.
Earlier, Vadim Andreev, who serves as the general manager for Samara’s Wings of the Soviets, stepped away from refereeing after his final match against Paris Nizhny Novgorod ended in a 2-1 defeat for Samara. One of the goals came from a penalty, and during the match, Nizhny Novgorod played with one man more after Vyacheslav Krotov received a red card, further shaping the game’s outcome and leaving organizers and fans to reflect on the officiating standard. This sequence added to the ongoing discussions about consistency in decision-making across Russian football.
In league standings, Krylya Sovetov sits 12th in the Russian Premier League with 25 points, trailing the eighth-place pack by a small margin. The team, coached by Igor Osinkin, has been fighting to climb out of the lower half, separated from the relegation playoff zone by a few points. Over the last eight matches in the season, Krylya Sovetov has recorded just a single victory, highlighting a challenging spell for the squad as it aims to stabilize results and restore momentum heading into the closing stretch of the campaign.
Earlier reports indicated that Anzor Kavazashvili, the former goalkeeper of Spartak Moscow and the USSR national team, voiced strong opinions about the performance of the Russian Football Union’s refereeing department. His critique added to the mounting debate about how referees are supported, trained, and evaluated across the country, with stakeholders calling for greater transparency in penalties, disciplinary actions, and the broader framework governing officiating. The ongoing conversation reflects a wider interest in ensuring fair play and clear, consistent rulings that meet the expectations of players, clubs, and supporters across Russia.