The former head coach of the Russian national team believes that Voronkov could have avoided a two-year disqualification if he behaved differently

The former head coach of the Russian women’s volleyball team Yuri Marichev spoke about the decision of the executive committee of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VFV) to disqualify Andrei Voronkov, who heads the Kaliningrad Lokomotiv, for 2 years.

On May 30, the VFV Executive Committee approved Voronkov’s two-year disqualification for racist insulting a black volleyball player during a game.

– I think if Voronkov had behaved differently, then the federation would have issued a different, less harsh, verdict. I agree that every expert on emotions is able to swear, but at the same time you should always feel responsible for your words and actions. It is difficult to speculate why Andrei behaved in this way and what line of defense he chose. You need to be able to admit mistakes. Once you have done it, declare it. Unfortunately, he did not, and I do not understand this reaction. I would have acted differently.

I don’t really want to comment on this and gloat over a colleague. I can only say that if I were Voronkov, I would apologize. He might behave differently. It is clear that we, the coaches, are living people and everything happens in our work. Sometimes you break loose, a harsh word will fly out. But, I repeat, anyone has the opportunity to apologize. I don’t see anything shameful in this, RT Marichev quotes.

On May 12, Voronkov, during a timeout 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 said: “Why are you catching this monkey again?” The phrase hit the air “Match TV”. For the team from the Sverdlovsk region, the Cuban player Ailama Sese Montalvo played, who later left the club.

• Lokomotiv coach Voronkov suspended for 2 years for racist insult to Cuban volleyball player