On the eve of potential changes, reports surfaced about Ashot Khachaturyants possibly stepping down as the head of the Russian Premier League (RPL). Citing two sources from Championship, insiders suggested there was little optimism about his continuing in the post.
“Given the current climate, Khachaturyants does not foresee a future in leading the RPL,” the statement read.
It was noted that Khachaturyants, who also serves as chair of the RFU Referee Committee, would redirect his focus toward refereeing matters, the area he deems most crucial.
Introducing Fan ID and plans to grow the RPL
Khachaturyants assumed the presidency of the RPL in November 2021, unveiling a strategic vision aimed at stabilizing clubs in crisis, revising the foreign-player cap format, and introducing a Fan ID. He also expressed a goal to expand the league to 18 teams. By March 2022, however, with sanctions affecting Russian sport, he admitted enthusiasm for the project had waned, noting that about 80 percent of the plan had not progressed as expected.
Despite ongoing discussions about league expansion, Khachaturyants’ support for the Fan ID policy did not win over supporters. In a gesture toward celebration, he traveled to St. Petersburg to commend Zenit on securing the title early, yet his address was met with boos as fans chanted against Fan ID. It is worth recalling that after the Fan ID law was approved, fan associations from RPL clubs announced boycotts of their teams’ matches.
Judicial tensions and referee governance
In recent months, Khachaturyants has made refereeing issues a recurring focus of public activity. He has stated from the outset his intent to address referees who perform poorly in matches, and his tenure has seen suspensions and penalties issued to several officials. A public dispute with referee Alexei Matyunin drew particular attention.
In a match between Khimki and Wings of the Soviets (4:1), Matyunin referred to Khachaturyants as “ugly” in a post-match remark, prompting Matyunin to file a complaint with the RFU. The RFU’s Expert Evaluation Commission later ruled that Matyunin had made two critical errors in favor of Khimki, including a questionable penalty for Krylia in the 42nd minute and a goal credited to the Moscow region team at the 50th minute. Reports indicate Matyunin underwent a polygraph assessment following the game, while Khachaturyants declined to discuss the matter in a public interview but noted that law enforcement would be contacted if necessary due to concerns about impartial arbitration.
He also indicated that he intended to step back from leadership roles at both the ESC and RFU IC, stating that he would consolidate his position through the current RPL season but did not specify his future plans as league president.
Concerns over VAR and on-field decisions
Throughout the season, representatives from various RPL clubs have voiced discontent with refereeing outcomes, particularly regarding the interpretation of VAR decisions. A former Spartak and national team midfielder, Maxim Demenko, highlighted ongoing issues with errors in VAR operation, suggesting these problems create headaches for referees, clubs, and league leaders alike.
There is a sense that discussions about Khachaturyants’ departure may carry substance beneath the surface, reflecting broader tensions within the judiciary during this period. Observers note that the pressures surrounding arbitration are unlikely to ease soon, with clubs actively seeking accountability and reforms.
The reality is that Khachaturyants has worked to address refereeing challenges, but the environment remains highly pressurized. VAR usage continues to be interpreted differently across competitions, not only within the Russian championship but also at the highest levels of European football. If Khachaturyants were replaced, the same issues would require resolution, and the pressure would likely persist without a clear, unified standard for officiating.
Even with evolving procedures, human error remains inevitable. At the end of the day, expert evaluation of refereeing decisions would help, but the core difficulty lies in how VAR is applied and interpreted. The ongoing disputes among major clubs underscore the need for transparent, consistent criteria for violations, offsides, and penalties. In Khachaturyants’ view, the process included purges of referees, but he warned that removing all experienced officials could worsen problems and stall progress.
Who could succeed Khachaturyants?
At present, there is no official confirmation about Khachaturyants leaving the RPL head post. Consequently, it remains unclear who might replace him. Media reports have floated Akhmat Aidamirov, the general manager of Akhmat, as a potential candidate; however, Aidamirov declined to comment, reiterating that Khachaturyants remains the head of the RPL and that speculation serves little purpose at this moment.