Lokomotiv women’s volleyball club apologized to Cuban volleyball players Ailama Montalvo and Uralochka, whom Kaliningrad coach Andrey Voronkov called monkeys.
During the last series of the Women’s Super League between Lokomotiv and Uralochka, Voronkov said to one of the volleyball players of his team: “Why are you holding this monkey again?” The disciplinary commission of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VVF) recommended that Voronkov be disqualified for two years. The final decision could be made by the WFV executive committee on May 31.
“Volleyball Club Lokomotiv sincerely apologizes for the incident in which our team faced Uralochka-NTMK in the fifth match of the last series of the Super League.
Employees, players and coaches of our club have always had great respect for the opponents, referees and fans. The principles of mutual respect are important to us and there has not been, will not be and will not be discrimination in club life. This is also evidenced by the fact that representatives of different states and nationalities played in our team for four years, including volleyball players from Germany, Cuba, Poland, Serbia, the Netherlands.
Our club did not make a statement regarding the situation that emerged in the fifth match of the last series of the last championship, while waiting for the official evaluation and analysis of this moment at the disciplinary committee, which took place a week after the match. We especially emphasize our gratitude to VC “Uralochka-NTMK” and its management for the level of interaction and the excellent play of both teams during the final series, which has become a real gem of the whole season. We really didn’t want the current situation to spoil the impression of a great volleyball and a brilliant finale.
The emotional expression expressed by our team’s head coach in the heat of the decisive game of the final match was not intended to offend or humiliate anyone on or off the field. And if this happened, it was done without any intention on our part.
From the wonderful volleyball player of this team, Ailame Sese Montalvo, from VK Uralochka-NTMK, once again, we apologize to all fans, volleyball fans and sports fans!” statement from the club.
