Two-time Olympic hockey champion questions politicization of Promes case
Alexander Kozhevnikov, who has won Olympic gold twice in hockey, expressed skepticism about the criminal case involving Quincy Promes, a Spartak Moscow football player. He shared his views with Match TV, suggesting that politics may have influenced the proceedings and public perception around the case.
Kozhevnikov warned that the Netherlands has not been willing to extradite individuals to Russia, and he admitted uncertainty about whether Promes would be extradited if required. He criticized what he called the politics surrounding the situation, noting that even if Promes were involved with drugs, the narrative could be manipulated for strategic reasons. In his view, authorities sometimes use sensational tactics and misinformation, and he urged that if there is concrete evidence of involvement in drug trafficking, due process should prevail. He referred to authorities as capable of drastic actions and insisted that real crimes must be pursued without distraction.
On February 16, a spokesperson from the Amsterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office, Franklin Wattimena, announced that Promes had been placed on an international wanted list. The development followed an earlier ruling that sparked international attention.
Earlier, on February 14, an Amsterdam court handed Promes a six-year prison sentence for cocaine trafficking. The court’s decision followed a January 24 hearing, during which prosecutors had asked for a nine-year term. Promes is presently with Spartak Moscow in the United Arab Emirates, where the club holds a training camp.
Promes has been part of Spartak Moscow since February 2021, marking a return to the club after an earlier spell between 2014 and 2018. During his time with the team, the Dutch forward contributed to Spartak securing the Russian championship in the 2016/17 season, a highlight in his career within the Russian league system.
In domestic competition this season, Promes has appeared in 17 league matches, tallying six starts in the primary phase and six further appearances in another segment of the campaign. The case, and the surrounding discourse, have drawn comparisons to high-profile investigations in football history, though each situation remains distinct and subject to the specifics of the evidence and legal process. The conversation around Promes touches on global considerations of how criminal cases intersect with professional sport and international relations, as well as the impact on a player’s career and a club’s reputation.
Observers note that the Promes case has already influenced perceptions in the sporting world, where fans and analysts weigh the seriousness of charges against the reality of how legal processes unfold across borders. The situation underscores the importance of transparent judicial procedures, consistent extradition policies, and the ongoing tension between national legal systems and international sport governance. In the coming weeks, further judicial updates and statements from involved parties are expected as the case continues to develop and as authorities clarify the status of Promes on the international stage. [citation: Amsterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office; Match TV interview]