Vladimir Sliskovic Comments on Promes Absence Ahead of Spartak vs Zenit
Vladimir Sliskovic, head coach of Spartak Moscow, spoke about the squad’s options for the upcoming Russian Premier League clash with Zenit St. Petersburg. He noted the silence around Quincy Promes for the St. Petersburg game and emphasized that Promes remains a significant figure for the team, while also underscoring the need for other players to step up when called upon by the coaching staff. The coach indicated that the team would rely on its internal depth and collective effort to deliver the performance required on match day, as reported by Match TV.
Promes is identified as a critical asset for Spartak, according to Sliskovic, but he stressed that the immediate focus should be on those who will take the field. The former approach was to prepare the squad in a way that ensures all available players understand their responsibilities and execute the game plan with discipline and teamwork. This balanced approach reflects Spartak’s philosophy of leveraging a strong group dynamic rather than depending on a single star to win fixtures, as noted in coverage of the match strategy.
Promes was expected to join Spartak from St. Petersburg for the RPL match against Zenit, which was scheduled to take place in Dubai on February 29. However, travel to St. Petersburg was not possible for the Dutch winger. The delay followed an incident during a training session with the club in the United Arab Emirates, after which Promes faced legal proceedings that led to his extradition to the Netherlands. Reports indicate he was sentenced to prison for offenses related to an armed confrontation with his cousin and for organizing the smuggling of substantial quantities of cocaine. These are legal matters that the club must consider in its squad planning while the player serves his sentence and potentially appeals through the appropriate channels. [citation]
The club’s legal representatives had previously advised that Promes could face serious penalties in the UAE, a factor that influenced the timing of his participation and the team’s tactical preparations for the Zenit match. Spartak’s management continues to navigate the situation with a focus on maintaining competitive performance on the field while addressing the complex legal context surrounding Promes’ case. [citation]