Where most domestic football has been paused while the FIFA World Cup is played, the Russian Cup has continued undeterred.
With Russia banned from this year’s World Cup due to President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the early rounds of the club cup competition has provided entertainment to football fans across the country.
The draw brought together Russian football giants Zenit and Spartak on Sunday (27 November), but far from the football courting headlines, it was a full-scale brawl between players and staff from both sides that trended on social media.
Watch the fracas for yourself below:
The altercation appears to begin with former Ajax and Netherlands forward Quincy Promes, who seemingly takes issue with one of the Zenit defenders. After Promes pushes the Zenit player, all hell breaks loose, with the referee powerless to prevent it from escalating.
In no time at all, substitutes and staff members from both clubs can be seen steaming onto the pitch to join the action, with the scene soon reminiscent of something from a hooligan movie.
Remarkably, six players were sent off for their involvement in the incident, including former Brazil international malcom. The game itself wasn’t anywhere near as entertaining as the brawl, with it ending 0-0 and eventually going to penalties – which Zenit won 4-2.
While the Russian domestic league was paused for the FIFA World Cup, the cup competition continued for one more round in an attempt to squeeze all games into an already packed schedule.
In other Russian football news, the country could soon be attempting to qualify for international tournament’s through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – as per news agency Tass.
The potential transfer comes after UEFA banned Russia from competing in any upcoming competitions earlier this year, seemingly leading the Russian FA to explore other options.
RFU President Alexander Dyukov recently revealed: “We [Russia] will consider this matter at an executive board meeting. I am not sure any decision will be passed but the situation requires discussion.
“UEFA considers us a member of the European family. We are implementing all the programs, they are participating in project financing.
“It would be unsavory of us to plunge into talks over their head. I said it is important for us to hold official matches. We had two years of coronavirus, and now we are suspended.”
Such a move could also massively impact Russian club football, as in theory, it would see the best domestic clubs competing in the Asian Champions League, rather than the European version.