In the Russian Premier League (RPL), President Alexander Alaev has unveiled a new responsibility for referees officiating the league’s matches. His remarks were reported by Sports Express and signal a push toward greater on-field transparency during games in the top tier of Russian football.
“I have said many times that referees are part of the game. The clearer they are, the better. I said it and I continue to say it. I don’t see how this will work yet, but it is a step forward. There was a critical moment in the Real Madrid – Valencia match, the VAR interviews were broadcast and I watched it too. At least we will know what our jury members sound like,” Alaev stated.
Under the new protocol, referees will publicly announce their decisions to the entire stadium after the VAR review is concluded, providing a direct link between the on-field call and the video-assisted verdict. This approach aims to minimize ambiguity and foster a shared understanding among players, coaches, and fans about how decisions are reached during the course of a match. The move comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of video technology in football oversight and its impact on the pace and atmosphere of the game, with supporters and analysts paying close attention to how this increased transparency could influence future decisions on the pitch.
After 19 weeks in the Russian Premier League, Krasnodar remains at the summit of the standings with 39 points. Zenit, trailing by two points, occupies second place, while Dinamo Moscow sits securely in the top three with 35 points. The table reflects a tight contest at the near midpoint of the season, where every victory, home result, and even a draw carries significant weight in shaping the race for the title and the slate of European places for the next campaign.
Looking ahead to the schedule, the league is set to pause after the 20th round to accommodate national team duties. The plan is to resume with the 21st round on March 25, a restart that will usher in a fresh round of fixtures and momentum as teams aim to build consistency ahead of the spring sprint. During the break, the Russian national squad is scheduled to face Serbia and Paraguay in friendly outings, opportunities that will help the team integrate new selections and test tactical setups in advance of upcoming qualifiers and fixtures. The pause also provides clubs with time to assess squad depth, prepare injury recovery programs, and plan strategic adjustments for the remainder of the campaign.
Earlier coverage noted the Real Madrid versus Valencia encounter as a flashpoint for officiating debates, highlighted by discussions around refereeing challenges and the integration of video technology into match control. The current developments in the Russian league appear to mirror a broader effort across European football to increase accountability and clarity in decision-making, aligning on-field actions with the explanations provided to fans and participants after a VAR review.