"International sports bodies have trapped themselves"

The issue of the return of Russian teams and athletes to international competitions was actively discussed at the Russia — Sports Power forum held in Samara. So far, there are difficulties with this in most game sports — only on Tuesday, the International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics) disbanded the Russian water polo teams.

In an interview with Izvestia, Maxim Mitrofanov, General Secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU), discussed how this precedent could help his organization, assessed the risks of interference by European governments in the work of sports structures, and also commented on the first six months of Valery Karpin's work as head coach of the Russian national team and Dynamo Moscow, and the situation with the investigation. He assessed the activities of the heads of the bankrupt Khimki in the summer and assessed the RPL development strategy until 2030.

— This week, Russian water polo players were allowed to participate in international competitions — for the first time since 2022, our teams have been banned from playing sports. Does this give reason to expect an acceleration of the process of admitting Russian football teams and clubs to official FIFA and UEFA tournaments?

— Any news about the admission of our athletes, whether it's an individual sport or a team game, is, of course, very important. This event makes us all happy. I have not yet had time to read and study the full text of the World Aquatics decision. But we will do this in order to understand how much this precedent can affect the position of other international organizations, including FIFA and UEFA. Naturally, we are monitoring all such decisions in order to ensure that our arguments in dialogue with international partners are of even better quality.

— Over the past two and a half years, you have repeatedly said that the overwhelming majority of the heads of European national football federations are against the suspension of our teams, but they carry it out under pressure from their governments. In your opinion, has the degree of this pressure changed in one direction or another in 2025?

— It seems to me that it has remained the same in principle. At certain times, the wave is probably symmetrical to when there is some kind of anti-Russian hysteria. And this wave is going a little higher because of the corresponding pressure on the federations. Now the situation is stabilizing, the pressure is getting a little less, but in general the situation is basically the same.

— You said that sanctions against Israeli athletes are very undesirable for us because of the bombing of Gaza and the June attack on Iran, as this reduces the chances of the Russians being disbanded. Are you not afraid that the recent story of Indonesia's non-issuance of visas to Israeli gymnasts will push sports organizations to sanctions, which will further complicate the work on the return of Russian sports?

— This only confirms that over the past three and a half years, a certain double standard has been used when considering sanctions against Russia and other countries, including Israel. But it seems to me that the more dangerous situation here is that if the international sports community follows some political steps of its states, then, in fact, the very idea of international sports cooperation may come to an end.

— Do you see the risk that when FIFA and UEFA decide to return our teams to international tournaments, the meaning of this decision will be lost due to the decisions of individual European countries to issue visas to our players?

— We have said exactly this more than once that the decision on the admission of our teams will be only part of the solution to the issue of a full-fledged return of Russian football to the international arena. This is only a formal decision, which will have to be implemented later. And the implementation will include visas, logistics, and the ability to pay for the relocation and accommodation of teams in the countries where they will need to play away matches. Athletes may find themselves in a conditional hostage situation when attempts are made to influence them, and the guys will not be able to stand up for themselves. This is especially scary for children's and youth teams when they have to participate in competitions in Europe. Such risks must also be anticipated and prevented. Therefore, the return of our athletes and teams to the international arena is a complex issue.

The important point here is what the international sports authorities will do if there is such an obstacle to cooperation. Will, for example, teams and federations whose states hinder this cooperation receive sanctions in the form of technical defeat? If so, this is one scenario. If not, if everyone just watches it, throws up their hands and says how bad it is, how difficult everything is... This will be a different scenario.

— Do you see possible levers of influence on the state from public sports organizations, with which you can stop such problems?

— It seems to me that the international sports bodies have driven themselves a little into this trap. They went along with the political demands that were broadcast in February 2022 and after by a number of states. Right now, only a tough and consistent position of international sports organizations can bring the situation back on track. They can do this, but for this they must consolidate with the national association and take an unequivocal position that their decisions must be implemented.

— At the Russia — Sports Power forum in Samara, you, together with RPL President Alexander Alaev and the leaders of the Premier League clubs, discussed the recently adopted RPL development strategy until 2030. What are the most interesting points of it?

— This is a fairly comprehensive document that covers all areas of professional football development, as well as the role of clubs in the development of grassroots football, infrastructure and other aspects. But any strategy is not a dogma. If the situation changes, then you need to adapt. It is important that this strategy, as a document on the basis of which the activities of the league and clubs will be carried out, work. I am pleased that the clubs have gained an idea of their own identity, what their role in the football system is and what needs to be done to strengthen this role.

— It has been almost six months since Valery Karpin began combining his work as the head coach of the Russian national team and Dynamo Moscow. Do the current failures of the club not cause concern that such a burden will lead to a regression of the national team, especially if we are returned to official competitions in the near future?

— If we return to official competitions in the near future, then this issue has been resolved. As we agreed in advance with Valery Georgievich and Dynamo, it would be impossible to combine with the national team after the sanctions were lifted.

— By the way, is it clearly stipulated and spelled out that in this case Karpin will have to make a choice in favor of the national team?

— Everything is clearly stipulated. By and large, any situation can be solved in life. Of course, under certain circumstances, you can choose a non-national team, but I've never even heard such rhetoric from Valery Georgievich. There was no question that there was anything more important than the national team. As for your question about Dynamo's current results, club work is different. This job is very difficult. We do not comment on it in any way, but I will say that the work of the national team, apart from the fact that the coach is overloaded, by and large does not affect it in any way. We still don't see any negative effects from the combination, which hinders work in the national team. If it starts to interfere with the work of the national team, we will tell the coach about it.

— In the summer, a number of Dynamo transfers suggested that the club had gained an advantage over its competitors in the fight for players of Ivan Sergeev's level due to the presence of the head coach of the national team. There were often rumors that Zenit, CSKA, Spartak and Lokomotiv were unhappy with this situation. Have they directly addressed the RFU on this issue?

— There are no specific questions. We discussed with the clubs that this was a hypothetical conflict of interest, but apart from this discussion, there was nothing else. We did not receive any complaints during the season.

— Do you see the risks of a conflict of interest in the future?

— Hypothetically, I believe that a certain conflict of interest is possible. If it is implemented, then we and the clubs will undoubtedly pay attention to it. Depending on what happens, that's how we'll solve the problem.

— In early October, Dmitry Gafin, a member of the RFU Executive Committee, resigned as chairman of the Dynamo Moscow Board of Directors. When will the issue of its replacement be resolved?

— Dmitry Alexandrovich remains a member of the executive committee until the next RFU conference. Before one of the executive committee meetings, we will ask the league on time whether Gafin has a legal connection with any of the clubs. If she does not exist at that time, then, accordingly, the head of the RPL at a meeting of the general meeting of the league will raise the issue of nominating a new candidate to the RFU executive committee. He will have to be nominated 50 days before the RFU conference. The next conference will be held around the end of May. It is then that Gafin will resign as a member of the executive committee.

— Artashes Harutyunyants, another member of the RFU executive committee, left the post of president of Rostov, but remained on its board of directors.

— Since he currently retains his position at the club, there are no grounds to consider replacing him yet.

— The RFU KDK has already held several meetings on the bankruptcy case of FC Khimki, and is considering the disqualification of businessman Tufan Sadygov, who was represented as an investor in the club. What are your expectations from these events?

— The RFU KDC is conducting an investigation, which involves many people — they cannot interview everyone at once. The KDC is interviewing everyone, studying the materials. They do not have a task for speed of solution. Let's see where they come to.

— How can we resolve the issue of sanctions against individuals who, like Sadigov, are not formally officials of the club, but everyone understands perfectly well that they play a key role in the life of the organization?

— You can't solve this issue by being a jurist — you won't forbid anyone from helping clubs financially. Indeed, there is a form of relationship where someone gives money through a donation. And it is clear that he influences the decisions made by the club. Therefore, the procedure is now being carried out according to the same "Khimki". The KDC must determine and recognize whether Mr. Sadygov is a football player.

— In the summer, the RFU made a high-profile decision not to allow Torpedo to compete in the RPL due to possible attempts to influence the judges. How did they react to the return to the post of head coach of the team Oleg Kononov, who is considered to be the man of the club's ex-co-founder Leonid Sobolev, who was disqualified by the RFU KDK for five years?

— He didn't react in any way. This is an internal matter of Torpedo.

— Is there any reason for sanctions in connection with the possible influence on the life of the club of a person whom your organization has suspended from football activities?

— As far as I know, there are restrictive measures imposed by the court against Mr. Sobolev. If I'm not mistaken, he's currently under house arrest. Among other things, this does not imply any communication through various communication channels.

— If contacts between Torpedo employees and Sobolev come to light, what will you do?

— If they come to light, if we receive such information, we will react.

— What level of opponents can we expect for the Russian national team in 2026?

— A similar level when compared with the teams that the Russian national team played against this fall (Jordan, Qatar, Iran, Bolivia) and will play in November (Peru, Chile).