In an interview with vprognosis, sports agent Dmitry Selyuk discussed the situation surrounding Spartak Moscow striker Quincy Promes. He argued that Promes should not participate in the Russian Premier League (RPL) given the current circumstances and urged a rethink of how the league handles detained players on field eligibility.
Selyuk emphasized that the Russian Football Union (RFU) ought to revise regulations to prevent players who are detained from taking the field until their status is clarified. He compared cases across different sports, noting a German citizen with marijuana-containing candies who faced consequences, while another high-profile athlete received a different sentence, implying a need for consistency in how such matters are treated.
On February 14, an Amsterdam court sentenced Promes to six years in prison for cocaine trafficking. The hearing took place on January 24, with prosecutors having sought a nine-year term. Promes was placed on an international wanted list on February 16. It is relevant that Promes does not hold Russian citizenship, which adds a layer of complexity to how his case is perceived within Russian football circles.
Promes has a long association with Spartak Moscow, first joining the club in February 2014 and returning in February 2021 after a prior spell from 2014 to 2018. During the 2016/17 season, the Dutch player helped Spartak clinch the Russian championship, marking a high point in his domestic career.
There has been broader speculation about how such legal and disciplinary developments could influence decisions within Russian football and the image of the sport abroad, including comparisons to other high-profile transfers and incidents. The discussion touches on how clubs manage players facing legal challenges and the responsibilities of national football authorities in maintaining competitive integrity and public trust.
In related news, there were earlier public comments about high-profile transfers and the financial implications for clubs, indicating the ongoing dynamic between performance expectations, legal issues, and strategic recruitment in European football.