The fabulous final of the Russian women’s volleyball championship, where Lokomotiv Kaliningrad pulled out a victory in the fifth set of the fifth match of the series, was not without scandal. One of the main creators of the success of the “railroad” coach Andrey Voronkov, due to a careless statement on camera, instantly turned into an anti-hero in the eyes of the public.

A flurry of indignation swept through the news feeds and social networks. The specialist was called a disgrace, they demanded his disqualification and even threatened him with a blow to the jaw. A full range of emotions in the reaction of journalists and fans to the words of the winning coach.

“Team slang”

Recall that during the timeout of the fifth meeting of the final series of the Russian Championship between Lokomotiv and Uralochka, Voronkov asked his ward Valeria Zaitseva why she was “catching this monkey again”? And although in the passage the coach did not specify who he was talking about, it is worth noting that in the game episode that preceded the pause, the Cuban volleyball player Ailama Sese clearly showed herself.

I don’t understand the meaning of this phrase. It is logical in relation to the game situation, but at the same time, something else could be implied, some kind of intra-team slang. It is necessary to understand, to wait for the words of Voronkov himself. If it’s really about what Uralochka is talking about, you need to punish the coach, ”commentator Vladimir Stetsko cautiously reacted to the episode in an interview with Match TV.

– It looked very unpleasant. I don’t think that Voronkov wanted to somehow specifically humiliate the opponent’s player or express his attitude towards him, ”Match TV quotes the titled ex-volleyball player of the Russian national team Elena Godina.

– He did not offend himself, but in a fit of passion and emotions he splashed out, this is such a job of a coach, you have to understand. We need to apologize and close this issue, – quotes the words of the vice-president of the VFV Gennady Shipulin Metaratings.

However, not everyone tried to justify the words of the Lokomotiv coach. Commentator Dmitry Guberniev spoke about the incident without semitones.

“Coach Voronkov is a racist!” This is clear to everyone! He must be kicked out of the profession with a bang! Just a disgrace! This is a female coach, damn it, – Guberniev wrote in his personal Telegram channel.

Gotta rake

Volleyball fans, for the most part, did not like Voronkov’s words either. Some suggested that Lokomotiv’s mentor in matters of racism took an example from the ex-coach of the Russian national team Sergio Buzato. Others suggested that the specialist reconsider his attitude towards people. Others even insisted on disqualification with the removal of medals.

“Will there be no punishment?” This is unacceptable. Everyone has emotions, but because of the color of the skin, calling a person a monkey is already too much.

– Buzato probably learned

Photo: © Toru Hanai / Stringer / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

– Andrey Gennadievich should not just apologize, but, apparently, radically reconsider his attitude towards people. Obviously, this is not the first time he has expressed himself this way, since his player immediately understands who he is talking about.

– I think Voronkov should at least be removed from work as a coach. He said this not on emotions, as he took Zaitseva aside – that is, he had to form a certain attitude of the player towards the opponent at all costs! And this is a system of education and very dangerous!

“You can’t get away with a simple apology. A public person is simply obliged to monitor what he spits out of himself.

– Take the medal! Voronkov to be disqualified! Club penalty! It’s the least you need to do!

– I wonder if he also called Ana Kleger a monkey? – users asked about the relationship between the Lokomotiv mentor and the former Cuban volleyball team.

Ana Kleger / Photo: © Anadolu Agency / Contributor / Anadolu Agency / Gettyimages.com

“He’s just never gotten a Cuban punch to the jaw yet.

— I must attack specifically. Live, so candid.

– Up to protesting the result of the match – if Ailama says that she heard and was upset …

– There should be a disqualification, immediately for the whole team!

“How disgusting he is in this arrogance of his!

There are many times fewer comments in support and justification of Voronkov, and some even manage to find a reason for jokes in this situation.

– Obama probably choked on a hot dog and went to look for Voronkov’s entrance for revenge.