15 June 2004 14:57
Russian football manager says player`s dismissal won`t affect performance
[Presenter] One of the leading players of the Russian football team, midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoy, 35, has been
dismissed. The decision was taken yesterday night at a meeting of the board of coaches, headed by Georgiy Yartsev. The
team's general manager, Aleksandr Chernov, has said the official reason behind Mostovoy's dismissal was the
player's untimely and unethical statements in the Spanish press. Most likely he was talking about Mostovoy's
interview with the Marca newspaper immediately after Russia's defeat in the game against the Spanish. The
team's managers believe the absence of Mostovoy will not affect the team's performance.
[Aleksandr Chernov, general manager of the Russian football team] The chief coach believes that his [Mostovoy's]
withdrawal from the fight in the first game put additional pressure on the other guys. This was one of the reasons why
the game was more difficult than it could have been. A person who doubts the team's prospects in the European cup
on the eve of the very important game with Portugal does not really deserve the right to be in the team.
[RTR Russia TV] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
