Former Tom head coach Valery Nepomniachtchi admitted to Metaratings.ru that he opposes the departure of Russian players to the European championships, and also does not support the possible transfer of the RFU to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

– Should Russian players strive to play in serious European championships while the RPL is out of European competition?

– I have said before that I am always very sorry when young strong players leave us, including Sasha Golovin at Monaco and Lesha Miranchuk at Atalanta. Lokomotiv failed so well after the departure of its leader. I am very sorry when we lose those whom we could admire with us. No, I am against our players moving to Europe.

– Are you against the idea of ​​moving to AFC?

— Yes, I think it is inappropriate for many reasons. If we go to play, then play with whom? After all, we want to play against teams that correspond to our level – against South Korea, Japan, the countries of the Middle East. I’m not sure that the Japanese and Koreans will want to play with us, and the countries of Central Asia are ready to play with us anyway.

If we transfer to earn money, then you will not earn anything in AFC. I myself worked for four years in South Korea, in China, in Japan. I know that many clubs don’t want to qualify for the Champions League, because there is nothing but losses. The prize fund of the tournament does not beat off long-distance flights. And even more so from Russia. Time zone difference – play one match and then lose a week. In general, there is no reason to switch.

At the end of February 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian teams and clubs from participating in international tournaments due to the situation in Ukraine. The RFU considered the possibility of moving to the AFC, but it was decided to create a working group with the participation of representatives of UEFA and FIFA, which will discuss in more detail the prospects for Russian football. On February 1, 2023, the AFC Congress was held in Manama (Bahrain), where the head of the RFU, Alexander Dyukov, was present.

The Russian football season will resume on February 22 with FONBET Russian Cup matches. On March 3, the WORLD RPL draw will continue. Watch live broadcasts of RPL matches and the Cup of the country on the Match TV federal channel and the thematic channels of the holding, as well as on matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru websites.