Zenit right-back Douglas Santos has weighed in on the clash with Spartak’s Quincy Promes, suggesting that Promes was the instigator in a heated head-to-head in the Russian Premier League. The remarks were reported by Sport Express, underscoring how tense moments can spill from the pitch into post-match chatter.
Santos asserted that Promes initiated the confrontation from the start of the contest. He described how Promes lost his composure early on, directing insults at Rodrigao and Barrios as the match progressed. The defender emphasized that the tension did not arise in a vacuum but followed a series of provocations that culminated in a confrontation between players from both teams.
To recall the broader scene, immediately after the regular time concluded in the final group-stage clash between Zenit and Spartak, a mass scuffle broke out on the field. The incident involved numerous players and began with a whistle from Zenit’s Wilmar Barrios and Spartak’s Quincy Promes, setting off a sequence of reactions that drew attention from officials and fans alike.
Referee Vladimir Moskalev showed discipline on the field, issuing red or yellow cards to a number of players. In total, six players were cautioned or penalized as a consequence of the fracas, including Malcolm, Rodrigao, Barrios, Sobolev, Nicholson, and Selikhov. Their suspensions were later confirmed in the aftermath as part of disciplinary proceedings following the match.
Former Zenit midfielder Andrey Mostovoy also weighed in, noting that those who participated to varying extents in the melee should face disqualifications proportionate to their involvement. The remarks reflected a consensus within the Russian football community that on-field violence during a cup tie carries consequences for both clubs and individuals, shaping the public and league response to the incident.