State Duma deputy Roman Teryushkov initially pointed out the absence of Monaco midfielder Alexander Golovin and Torino midfielder Alexei Miranchuk from the training camp of the national team. He emphasized that missing players and the way squads respond to callups should trigger a review by the Ministry of Sports and the Russian Football Union to confirm the right to assemble and participate in the national team.
Teryushkov also proposed adding a clause to player contracts that addresses manipulation and staged performances. He suggested that if there is any abuse, players could be removed from the football squad and redirected to other venues, such as the stage, if necessary, a remark tied to betting markets and media attention.
Historically, Miranchuk and Golovin did not participate in Russia’s matches in 2022. That year, coach Sergey Karpin experimented with a pipeline of younger players, frequently rotating the roster to test new combinations.
It should be recalled that in the spring of 2022 the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to exclude the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from participation in events controlled by these bodies. This action significantly altered the competitive landscape for Russian football and prompted institutional debates about the future direction of the national program.
Earlier, RUSADA explained the rationale behind scheduling doping tests for Russian football players at four in the morning, a practice that drew discussion about testing protocols and player welfare. These developments are part of a broader conversation about fair play, national team selection, and the responsibilities of governing bodies in maintaining integrity across the sport. {Cited: FIFA/UEFA actions, and RUSADA explanations}