Roman Rotenberg, the head coach of the SKA hockey club, is in St. Petersburg. He addressed rumors that the forward of the local club, Mikhail Vorobyov, admitted purchasing a military ID. Rotenberg’s remarks were shared with a media outlet connected to the Championship cycle, emphasizing that fans should wait for official information and not rush to conclusions.
In a discussion on a Telegram channel, Rotenberg stated that no hearing has taken place yet and urged audiences to be cautious about the circulating claims. He argued that the current landscape features an information war and propaganda on multiple fronts, advising skeptics to await official disclosures. According to Rotenberg, Vorobyov had left the city for a period but returned by morning and would be with the team the following day, suggesting that everything was in order with the camp.
Vorobyov reportedly admitted guilt during a meeting held in Ufa. On August 10, charges were brought in three separate cases involving bribery allegations against former Ufa Salavat Yulaev players Mikhail Vorobyov, Vladislav Lukin, and Anvar Suleymanov. The proceedings interactive summary indicates that the seriousness of these allegations is a central issue for regional hockey circles and for the broader sports community in Russia.
The hearing for Vladislav Lukin was postponed to September 22 due to the absence of his lawyer. Suleymanov’s case was pushed back to August 25 pending the presence of a key witness who is currently under house arrest. These procedural delays reflect the complexity of the cases and the need for formal legal adherence in a sport with deep public interest.
Officials noted that Vorobyov and Suleymanov face potential prison terms of up to 12 years if convicted. In addition, fines could reach up to 60 times the amount of any bribe involved, underscoring the high stakes of corruption cases in professional hockey and the potential impact on players, teams, and sponsors. The developments are closely watched by leagues, clubs, and fans who seek transparency and accountability in the sport’s governance.
Former Olympic champion Vyacheslav Fetisov has commented on the situation surrounding Vorobyov, adding a veteran perspective to the evolving narrative. Fetisov’s input underscores the ongoing attention from the hockey community and the importance of upholding integrity within the sport. Note: All information presented here reflects reported statements and official legal proceedings currently in the public domain and should be interpreted in light of ongoing investigations and announcements from the relevant authorities. (Citation: Championship coverage, sports governance updates, and legal briefings attributed to broadcasters and league communications.)