The key facts

  • Mostovoy, in response to Musayev's words, called the coach himself a clown
  • Krasnodar beat CSKA 4:2 and won an RPL match in autumn for the first time
  • After 13 rounds, both teams have 26 points each

The spat over the 'clowns'

Former Russian national team footballer Alexander Mostovoy sharply responded to Krasnodar head coach Murad Musayev, who had earlier called the team's critics 'clowns'. His words were cited by Sovetsky Sport. 'The clown is Musayev. Musayev has only ever seen a ball on television. He is one of those devils who made a living off football people', Mostovoy said.

The match that formed the backdrop of the conflict

The exchange of barbs came after a Matchday 14 RPL game in which Krasnodar beat CSKA 4:2. The Bulls opened the scoring: on the 16th minute John Cordoba found the net. CSKA equalized on the 35th minute thanks to a goal from Matvey Kislyak, but seven minutes later Krasnodar went back in front — Joao Batxi scored. On the 74th minute Daniil Utkin added a goal, and eight minutes before the end of regular time Cordoba completed his brace. In the first minute of added time, Kirill Glebov pulled one back for CSKA.

League standings

After 13 rounds of the national championship, CSKA sits third in the table with 26 points. Krasnodar moved up to fourth place, also with 26 points, and, as Gazeta.Ru notes, won an RPL match in autumn for the first time. Thus, the two teams are neck and neck in the table, and Krasnodar's victory over a direct rival became a notable event of the round — it was precisely this that gave rise to the public spat between Musayev and Mostovoy.