The main topic of discussion following the results of the match of the 29th round of the Russian Premier League between Spartak and Zenit was refereeing again.
The actions of the chief arbiter of the meeting Pavel Kukuyan raised questions.
First, after the goal of Alexander Sobolev, the referee turned to the help of video assistant Sergei Ivanov.
Doubts arose due to the fact that during the attack, the red-and-white midfielder Daniil Khlusevich, knocking out the ball, hit the leg of Zenit defender Douglas Santos.
However, in the end, no violation was recorded, and the goal was counted.
The forward and mentor of the Muscovites, Paolo Vanoli, actively resented the fact that the referee went to watch the replay at all, and as a result received a yellow card.
As the Italian admitted, he does not understand why they check almost every goal of his wards.
“When Spartak scores, they constantly look at VAR.
In such conditions, it is not very comfortable to celebrate.
I wonder why in some episodes video replays are watched, but in others they are not?
I don’t see the sequence, ”the specialist said at a press conference.
The ending of the meeting was especially hot.
In the 89th minute, Kukuyan recorded a foul by the goalkeeper of the red and white Alexander Selikhov, in a collision with which Alexander Erokhin fell, and appointed a penalty kick against Spartak.
Opinions differed as to whether there was a violation in this case.
General Director of Muscovites Yevgeny Melezhikov said that Kukuyan made a mistake by pointing to the point.
Andrey Kanchelskis, former midfielder of the Russian national team, agrees with him.
In his opinion, VAR only prevents the referee from working.
“The first half was nothing.
In the second half, they revived a little.
Goal seems to be good.
But at the end was put a left penalty.
There were no penalties.
How do these morons even watch football?
They have four judges and they still can't see anything.
VAR generally needs to be removed.
Remove VAR - it interferes with football.
No matter how I feel about Spartak, but in this situation I am for them, ”said the specialist in an interview with the Championship.
And the assistant to the head coach of Zenit, William de Oliveira, on the contrary, is confident in the correctness of the referee's actions.
“What happened on the bench?
Both I and Vanoli had emotions.
Of course, there was a penalty against Spartak.
One hundred percent, ”RB Sport quotes a specialist.
According to the former Spartak football player Valery Kechinov, the penalty was controversial.
He also noted the good performance of St. Petersburg in the attack.
“First, Selikhov played the ball, and then the movement continued, his hands caught Erokhin's legs.
That's probably why the judge made that decision.
The second half was not bad on the part of Spartak, it was necessary to score the second, then, probably, the game would have been made.
Unfortunately, we couldn't do it, and Zenit will always find some moment to excel.
And so it happened, ”Sport-Express quotes Kechinov.
There is an important nuance in the episode with the appointment of a penalty.
The referee blew the whistle before Malcom picked up the ball after Erokhin's collision with Selikhov and sent it to the near corner.
Thus, Kukuyan put himself in an extremely disadvantageous position: even if, after watching VAR, he realized that he was mistaken, he no longer had the right to count the Brazilian goal.
“Kukuyan is wrong.
The broadcast clearly shows that he appoints a penalty after the collision of Selikhov and Erokhin.
Selikhov plays ball.
Pure gaming scene.
Correct decision: to continue the game (it was easier to count Malcolm's goal),” former referee Igor Fedotov wrote in his Telegram channel.
He drew attention to the irreparable situation with a penalty kick against Spartak and commentator Vasily Utkin.
In his opinion, in this case there was simply no right decision.
“Well, what if – a moment in both directions – that’s purely technical, if Kukuyan incorrectly appointed a penalty?
Then the error becomes irreparable.
Because a goal after the whistle cannot be counted.
And then you can’t put a penalty, ”the journalist said.
Zenit head coach Sergei Semak also emphasized the uniqueness of the episode.
In his opinion, the judge hurried and stopped the meeting ahead of time.
“After the game, I spoke with Kukuyan - a rare situation when they don’t let them finish the game, but a goal is scored.
The judge was quick.
What if he canceled the penalty?
Would be free from the place of the foul.
An interesting moment, ”said the specialist.
And commentator Gennady Orlov is completely sure that if Selikhov had saved Spartak or Andrey Mostovoy had missed, then there would have been a scandal due to Malcolm's uncounted ball.
At the same time, questions remain about the execution of the penalty kick.
As Fedotov explained, the St. Petersburg team scored red and white in violation of the rules.
“Formally, the penalty kick against Spartak had to be beaten, Dziuba ran into the penalty area earlier.
But the referees informally give the players a meter from the line.
Although Dziuba ran far, but Kukuyan did not notice this from his position, ”the Championship specialist quotes.
Zarema Salikhova, the wife of Spartak owner Leonid Fedun, traditionally resented the refereeing.
According to her, the controversial decision at the end of the derby of the two capitals is part of a conspiracy against the red and white.
“The referees will watch each of our goals for three minutes, looking for any opportunity to cancel it.
And here is the detail: Dziuba ran out before the blow took place ... But the ball was counted.
The penalty itself is also very controversial.
Such episodes can be listed endlessly.
It's all particulars.
The essence is important.
Judges execute the global order.
For this, they keep Ivanov and his ilk, who are always ready to please, ”said Salikhova.
At the same time, she added that Spartak, most likely, will not again file a complaint with the Expert-Judicial Commission under the President of the RFU, because "this system is closed and doomed."