Russian Second Division referee commits ethic abuse of a Dagestani player

Referee Alexey Matyunin is being accused of ethic insult committed against Volga Tver defender Albert Gadzhibekov during the match between FC Saturn-2 and Volga Tver in the Russian Second Division (third tier of the country’s football system).

In the 36th minute of the game Saturn-2 player Fedor Pronko elbowed Volga’s Gadzhibekov in the face, having broken Gadzhibekov’s nose, as it turned out later. Referee Matyunin showed the offender a yellow card. Gadzhibekov appealed to the referee, asking for a more severe punishment, but the referee’s response was: «Stand up, you black a**, and shut your mouth or you’ll get sent off now!» According to the evidences Matyunin used obscene language repeatedly.

Because of the injury to his nose, the Dagestani ethnic Gadzhibekov could not continue the game and was replaced.

«I understand that we have a multicultural country and there are some problems in inter-ethnic relations. I’ve heard a lot of abuse from fans in different cities. But then a referee said that! I could not believe my ears. Such people should have no place in the football,» said the player after the match according to Sport-Express.

Volga Tver are preparing an official letter to the Russian FA’s Ethics Committee with a demand to suspend Matyunin from refereeing.