In an interview, Olga Smorodskaya, who previously led Lokomotiv Moscow, discussed her experiences during her tenure with the club. Speaking with Manuel Fernandes, a Portuguese footballer who once wore the Red-Green colors, Smorodskaya described a period when Fernandes was allegedly subjected to constant monitoring and a series of random blood tests. She noted that no formal investigation was initiated, and that there were moments when Fernandes was closely watched and then asked to undergo tests without clear justification. Fernandes, according to Smorodskaya, was repeatedly followed and checked, and on at least one occasion he did not appear for a training session; the response was to locate him and address the matter directly. Smorodskaya attributed these actions to a climate of scrutiny that she characterized as excessive, suggesting that the club pursued a pattern of intrusive oversight rather than constructive team management. This account appeared in an interview conducted with a publication focused on football coverage.
Fernandes spent five seasons with Lokomotiv Moscow, from 2014 through 2019, appearing in 103 official matches for the club, contributing to the team’s efforts during that period. After his departure, the footballer pursued a legal claim against the club, seeking compensation tied to bonuses that he contended were not paid under the terms of the employment relationship. The dispute involved a monetary amount in the vicinity of several million rubles, reflecting ongoing tensions between the player and the club over financial settlements tied to his tenure.
Following his time in Russia, Fernandes joined Krasnodar to continue competing in the Russian Premier League. He later departed from the Russian scene and later joined Sepahan in Iran, continuing his professional career abroad.
Earlier reports from the club’s communications team mentioned that Nair Tiknizyan, a Lokomotiv midfielder with Armenian connections, was anticipated to receive Armenian citizenship as part of formalities related to his international eligibility and residency, signaling ongoing administrative matters connected to players who have ties to multiple national football federations.