Valery Gazzaev, once the head coach of the Russian national team, argues that the Russian Premier League should not revert to a spring-autumn calendar, a view shared in interviews with Sports Express. He points to the difficulties of previous seasons, noting that starting the campaign in March meant players faced rough pitches and uneven preparations, with teams seldom hitting their stride early on. Gazzaev reminds readers that, in years when major tournaments took place in the summer, seasons were often interrupted for a month to accommodate World Cup or European Championship duties. This disruption, he suggests, eroded momentum and created inconsistent form across clubs.
In the current competition, after 17 rounds, Krasnodar has surged to the lead with 35 points. Saint Petersburg’s Zenit has slipped to second place following a defeat to Lokomotiv Moscow. Zenit sits on 33 points, while Dinamo Moscow rounds out the top three with 31 points. These standings illustrate a tight race at the peak of the table and underscore Gazzaev’s point about maintaining a stable schedule to support competitive balance and fan engagement throughout the season.
Looking back, FIFA and UEFA suspended the participation of the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in their competitions in the spring of 2022. The move reflected broader international sanctions and responses to geopolitical events, affecting clubs, players, and the structure of European football at that time. The pause had lasting effects on development, transfer markets, and scheduling for teams across the country, shaping decisions about calendar changes and long-term planning in Russian football.
In conversations about these developments, Dmitry Guberniev was a polarizing figure for some fans, with remarks that sparked debate among supporters and commentators. While opinions varied widely, the episode highlighted how football discourse can reflect broader public sentiment and national conversations around sport, competition, and success. Many fans, analysts, and officials continue to weigh the trade-offs between a stable calendar, the needs of players, and the passion of supporters who crave a predictable, high-quality football experience.