The key facts

  • Kovalenko called Zenit a «club of pride» because of its UEFA Cup victory
  • On 2 November Zenit beat Krylia Sovetov 3:0 and moved into first place in the RPL with 30 points
  • On 8 November Zenit will host Rostov at the Gazprom Arena

MMA fighter's statement

Mixed martial arts fighter Nikolai Kovalenko said that he does not consider Zenit a disgrace to Russian football, answering a question about his attitude to the corresponding slogan. His words were reported by Euro-Football.Ru.

Kovalenko's arguments

«I do not consider Zenit a disgrace. First of all, Zenit has a good history. Football loves history. A team that has won the UEFA Cup in its history cannot be a disgrace. It is a club of pride,» Kovalenko said. According to him, the club has a good sponsor, and players come because of its financial resources: «They can lure footballers in, but that works in favour of Russian football.»

Context: Zenit top the RPL table

The statement came against the backdrop of a successful stretch for the St Petersburg club. On 2 November Zenit thrashed Krylia Sovetov 3:0 in a match of the 13th round of the RPL. Alexander Sobolev scored a brace: in the 26th minute he converted a penalty (having missed from the spot in the 21st minute), both penalties were awarded for handballs by home-team players in their own penalty area, and in the 67th minute Sobolev scored his second goal. Artem Karpukas set the final score in the 73rd minute. With 30 points Zenit moved into first place in the standings; on 8 November the team will play Rostov at the Gazprom Arena.