Georgiy Dzhikiya, Spartak’s defender and captain, used his social media to defend Alexander Sobolev after the striker’s controversial moment in the derby against CSKA. The captain spoke plainly about the incident, taking a stand that Sobolev, while at fault, should not be judged beyond what is fair and necessary for growth.
From Dzhikiya’s perspective, Sobolev bore responsibility for the moment, yet he emphasized that the player acknowledged the mistake and deserved an opportunity to move forward. The captain stressed that Sobolev understood what he did wrong and that a single error should not define the person nor erase past contributions on the field.
In Dzhikiya’s words, Sobolev should not be subjected to relentless condemnation. He called for support and patience as Sobolev learned from the experience, noting that everyone has the right to correct a misstep and to keep developing as a professional footballer.
The derby result added to the context: Spartak defeated CSKA 2-1 in the 28th round of the Russian Premier League. The match had moments of tension, including a controversial gesture by Sobolev toward CSKA defender Roshi, which led to the referee’s decision in the 66th minute to send Sobolev off. The referee cited the gesture as justification for the dismissal, aligning with the need to manage conduct on the pitch while preserving fairness in the competition.
Meanwhile, Alexander Dobrovinsky, a former lawyer, criticized Spartak’s leadership for their handling of Sobolev’s behavior, raising questions about how the team manages public perception and internal discipline after high-pressure moments in matches.