A Russian state Duma deputy, Roman Teryushkov, has filed a formal statement with the investigative committee concerning football blogger Mikhail Borzykin. The report surfaced through the Basis telegram channel, which has been closely monitoring the case and publishing updates as they unfold. According to Teryushkov, a person connected to the club Khimki Moscow Region, identified as a priest, was summoned to the team’s base amid controversy stemming from Borzykin’s recent posts. Teryushkov alleged that Borzykin’s activities violated two provisions of the country’s criminal code by allegedly insulting the religious feelings of believers and by insulting a public official. The charges, if proven, could carry serious repercussions for the blogger and could impact broader discussions about freedom of expression in sports media coverage.
Investigators have reportedly already interviewed Borzykin himself. He asserted that his intent was not to offend believers but to highlight a deeper issue within club culture. He argued that the alleged problems with the football club could not be resolved by bringing a priest to the stadium or by holding church services on match days. Borzykin emphasized that his critical remarks about Teryushkov were aimed not at the deputy as a government figure per se, but at him as a representative associated with the club and, in Borzykin’s view, as someone speaking on the club’s behalf.
The story recalls a controversial incident from October 2022 when Khimki, a club near Moscow, arranged for clergy to visit the team’s base in an attempt to boost morale and spiritual support after a run of defeats. The move attracted substantial media attention and drew mixed reactions from fans and analysts. Despite the effort to address the on-field troubles in a spiritual direction, Khimki found itself near the bottom of the Russian Premier League standings, occupying the penultimate position in 15th place. The outcome of the ongoing investigations and the public response to the blogger’s statements remain uncertain, but the episode has already ignited a broader debate about how far cultural and religious symbolism should influence professional sports governance and media discourse.
In a related development, there were remarks about the involvement of players from the Saint Petersburg club Zenit. It was suggested that the club would gain two defenders, potentially from Brazil, a move seen by some observers as part of the broader reshuffling that often accompanies scrutiny over on-field performance and public relations. The exact details of these potential transfers were not confirmed in the initial reports, leaving room for further developments as the league schedule continues and investigators complete their review of Borzykin’s statements and the club’s actions. The situation illustrates the current tension between free expression in sports media and the responsibilities of individuals who occupy official roles within football organizations, especially in a highly scrutinized national league.