Voronkov’s reputation has changed after a racist statement, this will affect the chances of leading the Russian men’s team, says Olympic medalist Gracheva

The reputation of Lokomotiv Kaliningrad head coach Andrey Voronkov has suffered because of the situation surrounding his remarks about a black volleyball player, and this may affect his chances to lead the Russian men’s team, said Olympic silver medalist in volleyball Tatyana Gracheva.

On May 12, Voronkov, during a time-out in the fifth match of the final series of the Russian championship with Uralochka-NTMK, giving instructions to his players, pulled Valery Zaitseva aside and told her: “Why are you catching this monkey again?” This was aired by Match TV. Cuban Ailama Sese Montalvo played for Uralochka-NTMK, who later left the club.

On May 19, the disciplinary commission of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VVF) considered this incident, found Voronkov guilty of committing a disciplinary violation, expressed in insulting terms towards a member of the opposing team, and recommended that the 55-year-old specialist be disqualified for up to two years.

– Probably, this situation will play a role. Even if there is no severe punishment, his reputation has changed, probably not for the better. But there is a huge competition for the post of head coach, if we take at least those names that were announced. Among them, including Konstantin Bryansky, who won two league titles in a row with Dynamo. This competition still had to be won. Therefore, today’s trial is not a decisive moment in the matter of choosing the head coach of the national team, – said Gracheva RT.

The decision of the VFV commission noted that Lokomotiv and personally Voronkov refused in principle to apologize to Uralochka and Montalvo personally.

– It is not clear why Voronkov remains silent. If he believes that he did not offend anyone, then you need to explain what he meant. If this was the case, as many understood, you need to apologize. And then let the federation decide. The worst thing in this situation is silence,” Gracheva added.

The final decision on disqualification will be made by the executive committee of the VFV on May 31.

The contract with the Finnish specialist Tuomas Sammelvuo, who led the Russian men’s team, was not extended. The agreement with him expired on December 31, 2021. In May, the Secretary General of the VFV, Alexander Yaremenko, told Match TV that, in addition to Voronkov, Alexei Verbov, Alexander Klimkin, Plamen Konstantinov and Konstantin Bryansky were candidates for the Russian national team.

• Coach Voronkov refused on principle to apologize to volleyball player Montalvo for racist insults