Former Spartak Moscow alumnus Andrey Tikhonov weighed in on a notable decision handed down by the Russian Football Union’s Control and Disciplinary Committee. The RFU CDC issued a four match ban to Spartak striker Alexander Sobolev after an obscene gesture during the clash with CSKA Moscow. Tikhonov analyzed the ruling through the lens of the exact wording of the football law and the standards that govern on pitch behavior when two storied rivals meet. He suggested that the sanctions align with the written rules and that a four game punishment may reflect a punitive stance meant to deter similar conduct in future matches. As reported by Sport Express, his remarks emphasized that the law itself sets clear expectations, and the four match suspension represents a direct application of those terms. The broader question he raised concerns how such penalties interact with potential escalation in heated derbies and whether additional disciplinary measures could follow if new incidents arise. In the encounter, the incident occurred in the 67th minute of the 28th round of the Russian Premier League, during Spartak versus CSKA. Sobolev was sent off after grabbing his groin in front of CSKA defender Willian Rocha, followed by a taunting gesture that seemed aimed at signaling to referee Sergei Karasev what had happened. The disciplinary committee later reviewed the sequence on May 24, ultimately issuing a four game suspension to Sobolev. It was also reported that the red card shown to Rocha would be rescinded, a move that sparked debate among observers about consistency and accuracy in disciplinary decisions during that match. Meanwhile, the domestic transfer market has its own chatter, with midfielder Danil Glebov, formerly with Rostov, potentially pursuing opportunities with Spartak. Reports indicate that Spartak head coach Guillermo Abascal has discussed the idea of adding the Russian midfielder to the squad, signaling ongoing efforts to strengthen the roster ahead of forthcoming fixtures. The evolving discussion around Sobolev’s punishment, the handling of Rocha’s red card, and the broader disciplinary framework in Russian football continues to attract scrutiny from fans and analysts alike. As the sport navigates the balance between firm enforcement and maintaining competitive integrity, stakeholders watch closely for any follow up actions from the federation and for further developments that could influence future rulings and on pitch behavior across the league. “
