Russian international banned in Bosman-like scenario

A RUSSIAN international, not named in the squad to face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday due to a contractual dispute with his club, has been banned for four months.

Spartak Moscow striker Dmitry Sychyov, an 18-year-old, who was Russia’s best player at the World Cup finals, was not considered by coach Valery Gazzayev because, “he is not mentally fit to play on such a high level,” after he walked out on his club. The Russian Professional Football League (RFPL) yesterday imposed the ban after investigating the case.

“We found there was no evidence to support Sychyov’s request to annul his contract with Spartak, thus we had no choice but to ban the player for four months,” Vitor Marushchak, the head of the RFPL’s disciplinary committee, said after a four-hour hearing.