Spartak’s Argentineans fined half of salary for late return from Copa America

Spartak Moscow midfielder Nicolas Pareja and Marcos Rojo were fined for breach of discipline by the club. Both players have returned several days later from the Copa America, where they had been playing for the Argentina national team.

The Argentineans were fined 50 percent of their monthly salary, the official website of the Red-and-Whites reported. Moreover, Pareja and Rojo will train separately from the rest of the team until further decision of the coaching staff.

Spartak head coach Valery Karpin has confirmed this information and has explained the reasons behind it in an interview with Sport-Expess.

«As soon as it became clear that Pareja and Rojo fail to return to Spartak in time, we decided to sanction them. Nevertheless, we have listened to their explanations, but their words haven’t convinced us.»

«Players get fined in any club, but it isn’t always made public. Why did you act in a different way?»

«Everybody knew and understood what had occurred, so there was no sense to hide anything. We also wanted to rule out any speculations: there was no conflict, there was just a breach of discipline. Nothing more.»

«How did the Argentineans accept the management’s decision?»

«I believe very few people don’t take it as an offence when they’re punished – even if they deserve it. But you can’t read another man’s soul. It will become clear from Rojo’s and Pareja’s further work and behavior.»

«For how long will Rojo and Pareja train individually?»

«We will look and see – I can’t rule out that this will last for quite a long time. It all depends on how the Argentineans will work now.»