Igor Shalimov, the head coach of the Grozny Akhmat, found himself in the midst of a controversial situation after he said that he should not help people complaining of a difficult financial situation due to the coronavirus epidemic. The Russian Football Union (RFU) in response to this said that the actions of a specialist can be considered by the ethics committee.

“We will definitely consider Shalimov’s statements if the relevant persons - the leaders of the federation and the league - send us a statement on this issue,” Sport Express cites the head of the ethics committee Semyon Andreev.

On the eve of Shalimov posted a video on his page on Instagram, in which he called the parasites of Russians who turn to the state for financial assistance.

“Now I went to the store: trolleybuses, buses and the subway are working. Those who really do important things for you and me, they all earn. If you are a parasite who wants to do nothing and receive money, this is your choice. Choose another profession, ”said Shalimov.

The statement caused a flurry of negative comments. Some even appealed to the head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, with an appeal to dismiss the specialist from his post.

First, Shalimov tried to respond to criticism, but then deleted the post. Despite this, users of social networks continued to express their dissatisfaction with the trainer's other publications.

Subsequently, the specialist said that his words were misinterpreted.

“People need to be friends with humor!” I did not mean those who feel bad at all. I talked about my players. And yet, if I speak seriously and in a mask, this does not mean that I am not joking, ”Sport24 quotes Shalimov.

At the same time, the opinions of colleagues regarding the incident were divided. Former Anji head coach Haji Hajiyev suggested that Akhmat’s mentor incorrectly formulated his idea.

“It seems to me that if he deleted the video, it means that he admitted that he did not accurately convey his idea. Of course, you need to fire for something else. I don’t know what sanctions the RFU can apply in this case, but I think that this is not necessary. Yes, you can discuss, but nothing more. Another thing is that in the contract for each coach and football player there are restrictions on public statements. If Shalimov has this, then they can begin to understand the club. But I think that what happened is enough for him to rethink his statements, ”Hajiyev suggested in an interview with RT.

On the side of Shalimov stood the former coach of the Russian team Anatoly Byshovets. He also expressed the opinion that this statement was misinterpreted, and added that Shalimov himself never refused to help those in need.

“Such categoricalness has a right to exist. Knowing him, I think he had in mind people who speculate on situations of self-isolation and use those who are really experiencing financial problems - pensioners, people with disabilities. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest people and they don’t disdain anything, this happens all the time. And really needy behave with dignity. A decent person will remain so in any position, ”explained Byshovets.

At the same time, the ex-head coach of Rubin Rinat Bilyaletdinov called Shalimov’s statement too harsh. However, he noted that it is not necessary to apply any sanctions to a specialist, based solely on public opinion.

“I would not make such statements. It is necessary to help those in need, because, for example, the service sector, which was left without a livelihood, suffers in connection with the epidemic. Its representatives do not work, because they do not have such an opportunity, and not because they do not want to. Therefore, to call them parasites is wrong. Perhaps Shalimov got excited, said on emotions. Like everyone else, he is upset, but it’s not worth it to offend people anyway, ”Bilyaletdinov said.

The well-known sports journalist Vasily Utkin did not stand aside from the incident. He recalled that “Akhmat” Shalimova currently ranks last in the standings of the Russian Premier League (RPL).

“The coach of the team from last place in the championship. Since the last. And he calls someone else a parasite. Not yourself. Coach outsider of the championship of Russia with a salary of about half a million dollars a year. Trained in last place for half a lemon green (plus or minus), and the parasite - someone else. In a clean last place. Solely. This is success, ”Utkin wrote in his Telegram channel.

It is worth noting that Shalimov is not the first time to speak out in a similar vein. Some time ago, he entered into a dialogue with a user of social networks, who accused the authorities of the fact that many live in poverty. In response, the expert said that some people themselves are to blame for their situation, therefore, the state should not be blamed for this.