Valery Karpin, who serves as both Rostov’s head coach and the manager of the Russian national team, urged caution when considering a shift in the Russian Premier League (RPL) to a spring-autumn schedule, as reported by Sports24. He emphasized the need for a deliberate, data-driven approach rather than a hasty move that could disrupt the season’s rhythm and competitive balance across clubs and national duties alike.
He posed a hypothetical scenario: the decisive 30th round would fall on a specific date, prompting questions about what would be feasible under such a calendar change. The coach highlighted the importance of weighing every variable—fixture congestion, travel logistics, player recovery, and broadcast scheduling—before reaching any conclusion. He also noted that it might have been possible to host matches in Moscow on December 2 and December 4, should plans have allowed, leaving room for further discussion and evaluation before any definitive step was taken. His response suggested openness to evaluating all options, while underscoring the need for careful consideration.
In a recent match on December 3, Rostov faced CSKA and was defeated 0-2 at the VEB Arena, with goals from Fedor Chalov and Victor Mendez sealing the result. The outcome was overshadowed by organizational questions surrounding the match timing and preparation, which became a focal point of post-match analysis and dialogue among coaches, officials, and fans alike.
The decision surrounding the match’s scheduled time appeared to hinge on the main referee, Rafael Shafeev, who postponed the fixture moments before kickoff. Despite the postponement, the game began at the originally scheduled time, revealing challenges linked to weather and field management. In Moscow, the field required snow clearance during the match, with ground crews manually clearing the penalty area using shovels, a scene that underscored the difficulties teams face when weather disrupts routine play and scheduling. This unusual preparation set the tone for broader discussions about event readiness and safety standards in freezing conditions.
Karpin expressed strong annoyance about the decision-making process behind the postponement, questioning the rationale in blunt terms. He remarked that it would have been preferable to avoid proceeding with the game if postponement was deemed necessary, arguing that proceeding under suboptimal conditions could undermine the integrity of the competition. His comments, delivered in the immediate aftermath, reflected a broader concern for consistency and fair play, and they drew attention to the potential consequences, including disciplinary action that could follow if decisions are not aligned with league protocols. In the wake of the match, the coach indicated that this stance was deliberate and not intended as a momentary outburst, signaling that the issue would remain a point of focus for his forthcoming discussions with league authorities and club officials.
Earlier remarks from Karpin had centered on his views about the same topic, and after the CSKA encounter he reiterated that he had no regrets about the remarks he made. His stance during the post-match period underscored a willingness to engage in open dialogue with counterparts and governance bodies to improve how such situations are handled in the future, with an emphasis on consistency, clarity, and the core objective of safeguarding competitive fairness across Russian football.