The Krasnodar midfielder Ilzat Akhmetov commented on the atmosphere at the Otkritie Arena in Moscow during the Russian Premier League match between Krasnodar and Spartak Moscow in the 24th round. He spoke about the behavior of Spartak fans as the teams faced off in the capital city. Akhmetov described the verbal abuse directed at Krasnodar and the way the Krasnodar players were treated on and after the field, noting that the experience felt disrespectful and uncomfortable for the visiting side. He recalled that while nothing seemed obvious during the match itself, the post-match gestures from Spartak supporters were clear and troubling. The midfielder called the incident ugly and expressed disappointment with the fans’ actions that extended beyond the final whistle, underscoring the need for sportsmanship in top-level football and the importance of players feeling safe and respected on the field. [Sports24]
On April 24, Spartak Moscow won 4-3 against Krasnodar in Moscow. Krasnodar was able to score through goals from John Cordoba, Joao Batugari, Eduard Spertsyan, and other contributors, while Spartak relied on a brace from Alexander Sobolev and goals from Anton Zinkovsky and Quincy Promes from the bench in the second half to seal the victory. This result left Spartak with 48 points, narrowing the gap to Rostov, who had 49 points. The margin to Zenit was reduced to ten points, while Krasnodar remained in seventh place in the table. [Sports24]
Earlier reporting noted that Krasnodar goalkeeper Matvei Safonov communicated with the match delegate after the Spartak game, a detail that drew attention in discussions about player welfare and officiating in the league. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about on-field tensions, crowd dynamics, and the broader environment surrounding matches involving high-profile clubs in Russia’s top tier. [Sports24]