Ulyanovsk Regional Court Rules on Bananas and Fines in Russian Cup Match
The Ulyanovsk Regional Court has ruled on a case stemming from a Russian Cup match between Zenit St. Petersburg and Volga. The decision ordered the recovery of 356 thousand rubles from a fan who threw a banana at Zenit defender Wendel. The information was reported by 73 Online and confirmed by official court records, underscoring the penalties tied to inappropriate spectator behavior at a high-profile game.
The contested game took place on February 25, 2023. Zenit secured a decisive 3-0 victory, eliminating Volga from further competition in the Russian Cup and advancing in the tournament. The match was a reminder of the heightened emotions that accompany cup ties, especially when outcomes influence a club’s progression and the broader public discussion around sportsmanship.
In the wake of the incident, the Russian Football Union (RFU) announced sanctions against Zenit’s home club in Ulyanovsk. The sanctions included a financial penalty totaling 500 thousand rubles and a conditional penalty that could lead to an empty-stand match if violations persisted. These measures reflect the federation’s stance on maintaining order and safeguarding fans, players, and staff during official matches.
The administrative case was processed under Article 20.31 of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation, which covers violations of spectator conduct rules during official sports events. An administrative protocol was drawn up against the involved supporter, and the case was forwarded to the court for a merits assessment. The individual involved expressed remorse, stating that the actions were driven by emotions in the heat of the moment.
Previously, Andrei Arshavin commented on the episode, noting that a banana-throwing incident occurred during the Zenit versus Volga match in the Russian Cup. This incident became part of a broader discussion on fan behavior and the potential consequences that can follow such acts, including legal accountability and sports sanctions. The episode has been cited in discussions about how clubs and governing bodies respond to incidents of misconduct and the ongoing effort to foster safe attendance at matches across Russia. (Source attribution: RFU communications; local coverage by 73 Online)