Olga Smorodskaya, who led Lokomotiv Moscow as president from 2010 to 2016, describes a clash with Yuri Semin, the club’s head coach, that began when Semin refused to buy Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevsky. The moment was captured in quotes published by Sports24.
Semin wanted Milevsky on the team. Lokomotiv reached out to Dynamo Kiev president Ihor Surkis, who named a price of 12 million euros. Smorodskaya attempted to negotiate down to 10 million, but the offer was rejected. There simply was not enough money in the club’s budget to proceed, and Smorodskaya concluded Milevsky would not be joining the squad.
In her reflections, Smorodskaya indicates she had formed a clear view of Milevsky, noting concerns about his behavior and consistency on and off the field. She states the club did not need a player who could be seen as undisciplined, and she implies that Surkis would not have accepted Milevsky under any circumstances after a period of consideration.
The disagreement over Milevsky did more than strain negotiations; it appeared to widen divisions with Semin and his supporters. Angry banners soon appeared at the stadium, calling for Milevsky to be signed and urging Smorodskaya to leave the club. The public dispute highlighted the high political stakes involved in player recruitment for a club with ambitious targets and a strong fan base.
During Smorodskaya’s presidency, Lokomotiv MoscOw achieved notable success, including lifting the Russian Cup in 2015. Her tenure is often remembered for moments of intense fan involvement and strategic decisions that shaped the club’s direction on and off the pitch.
Artem Milevsky’s career included a long spell with Dynamo Kiev from 2002 to 2013, during which he earned multiple national championships. He later played for clubs in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, including Tosno, Dynamo, and Minai. Milevsky concluded his professional career in 2021 and represented Ukraine in international play on 50 occasions. His journey reflects a player who achieved domestic success and international experience before stepping away from professional football.
In the wider football landscape, Smorodskaya has previously spoken about critics who take aim at different facets of Russian football. Her comments about Milevsky and others illustrate the ongoing tension between club leadership decisions and public opinion, a dynamic common to many leagues where talent, budget, and timing collide with managerial choices and fan expectations.