Sponsorship arrangements and overstated requirements: what is known about the conflict between the RBU and the biathletes of the Russian team

“The conflict has developed out of the blue”

The Russian biathlon team continues to prepare for the new season, as well as for participation in the world championship in the summer version of this sport, which will be held from August 21 to 25 in the Belarusian Raubichi. However, training camps are held against the backdrop of several scandals that create a situation of general tension and uncertainty in the team.

For several weeks, the conflict between the leadership of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) and the team leader Alexander Loginov has not abated. At the end of July, it became known that the athlete refuses to sign a contract with the organization, but the parties have still not reached an agreement.

It has been reported that the stumbling block is advertising arrangements. The team has a number of common sponsors, and each biathlete has the right to enter into personal contracts with companies of interest to him. At the same time, it is forbidden to use brand logos at one’s own discretion - according to the regulations, each of them has a certain place on the form and inventory of athletes.

More specific details of the conflict were not disclosed. Loginov himself does not comment on him. However, Dmitry Vasiliev, president of the Russian Biathlon Federation, shared his opinion on this matter. According to him, the Russian has obligations to sponsors who helped him during the two-year disqualification, and some points of the contract with the SBR may violate them.

“The conflict situation has developed out of the blue, and now it can come to a standstill due to the lack of an attempt to talk with athletes directly, and not through the press. In fact, there is no problem; more complicated cases are resolved. I think that the President of the SBR, Vladimir Drachev, needs to meet with the guys, talk face-to-face with Loginov, ”TASS quotes Vasiliev as saying.

A few days earlier, the text of a statement by members of the Russian national team who are trying to challenge new contracts was published on the network. Biathletes are dissatisfied with several points at once, one of which concerns advertising obligations.

“We believe that the terms of the contract regarding the non-receipt by athletes of a fixed amount for posting information on RRF sponsors on a uniform and rifle are unfair. Moreover, in fact, in accordance with the terms of the contract, athletes are deprived of the right to conclude a personal sponsorship contract and place the logo of a personal sponsor on equipment, ”the text of the“ Championship ”document cites.

It is noted that Yevgeny Garanichev, Dmitry Malyshko and Anton Babikov are dissatisfied with the actions of the SBR. However, at the moment it is known that only Loginov did not sign the contract.

Both sides have repeatedly tried to come to an agreement. So, in early August in Sochi, a meeting of representatives of the men's team and the executive director of the organization, Sergei Golikov, took place. According to its results, an agreement was not reached again.

The leadership of the RRF noted that Loginov could remain without a place in the team if the contract was not concluded. At the same time, President of the RBU Vladimir Drachev expressed confidence that the conflict would be settled before the start of the new season.

“We will agree in any case, the Russian team will play. We had scandals before, but I can’t even call this situation a scandal, it’s a work process, ”the functionary said on Match TV.

"The leadership of the SBR threatens the guys"

Meanwhile, the conflict is not limited to disputes over sponsorship arrangements. The claims of biathletes also lie in the fact that the proposed contracts are not labor, in connection with which the SBR is trying to shift all responsibility to them, while not observing its own obligations. Athletes have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the organization of training camps and the settlement of issues regarding their participation in international competitions.

In particular, they repeatedly had to pay transportation costs from their own wallet. According to Vasiliev, a blatant incident occurred in November last year after the training camp in Finland.

“Nobody then ordered a transfer for them, they called a taxi, took off and arrived at the airport, and then stood in the cold for another two hours in anticipation of its opening. And such cases were full of the season. During the stages of the World Cup in the United States, athletes were also forced to spend their own money on the road, which was later compensated by the regions. And the expenses reached 200 thousand rubles, ”said the functionary.

In turn, the SBR denies allegations that, in accordance with new contracts, biathletes have more responsibilities than rights. His leadership suggests that the differences are caused only by their desire to gain greater independence.

The 2014 Olympic champion Anton Shipulin spoke in support of former partners in the national team. He sharply criticized the biathlon authorities for incorrect behavior in the negotiation process, as well as an attempt to fully control the activities of athletes.

“The leadership of the union simply threatens the guys:“ If you don’t sign, you won’t speak. ” The guys are bullied. It is low and disgusting. Young people can’t answer anything, but experienced guys, of course, resist, ”RIA Novosti quotes Shipulina.

The famous Russian commentator Dmitry Guberniev was also outraged by the situation in the RRF.

“It crosses all borders! I demand from the SBR to stop bullying the athletes of the national team! We will create petitions and write in court! Hands off our biathletes! Call taxi guys and jets, they deserve it! And buy them an airport! ”, The journalist wrote on his Instagram page.