“Krasnodar” comments on racism allegations for the first time: the club fully supports Spertsyan

The management of FC Krasnodar has made an official statement in defense of the team’s captain, Eduard Spertsyan, who was accused of making a racist remark by Akhmat’s Senegalese defender Ousmane Ndong.

The club’s general director, Vladimir Khashig, emphasized in an exclusive interview with Championat that manifestations of racism within the team are impossible.

“We have an international team — players from different countries, with different religions, and who speak different languages. Manifestations of racism in such an environment are simply impossible.

Eduard has been with the club for almost 15 years, starting from the academy, and I know him very well as a person. That’s why Eduard was chosen as captain at such a young age — he knows how to unite very different people and create an atmosphere of mutual respect.

We have full confidence in him — both as a captain and as a person,” Khashig said.

The incident occurred during the 11th round of the Russian Premier League match between Krasnodar and Akhmat, when Ousmane Ndong received a straight red card for striking Spertsyan. After the game, the Senegalese defender claimed he had been subjected to a racist insult, but Spertsyan categorically denied the accusation, stating that Ndong had provoked the conflict.

The Russian Football Union’s Control and Disciplinary Committee continues to investigate the situation. A decision on the case is expected in the coming days.

State Duma deputy Roman Teryushkov also expressed his support: