Yury Zhirkov gets booed by fans during Russia – Serbia friendly

The midfielder of the Russian national team Yury Zhirkov was booed throughout the friendly match against Serbia by the fans at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow. Every time Zhirkov was on the ball, loud catcalls were heard from the stands.

The reason behind these manifestations of disapproval was most likely Zhirkov’s recent transfer to Anzhi Makhachkala from Chelsea, which was estimated to cost the Dagestani club €15 million.

Head coach of the Russian team Dick Advocaat said he doesn’t understand the reaction of the supporters and said it was Zhirkov who initiated the player’s substitution in the 68th minute.

«I was disappointed with how fans were reacting to one of the national team’s best players. I don’t understand those whistles. Zhirkov asked for a substitution himself. The whole team was afflicted by how the fans behaved and we gave him our support.

«Of course, Zhirkov will play in the next match. Do you want us to lose?»

«I can’t understand the reason why the national team’s supporters catcall their own player. Instead of being happy that such a good footballer returns to the Russian league, the fans have been catcalling him for 70 minutes,» said Advocaat.

Yury Zhirkov himself said he managed to ignore the sounds he had been hearing from the stands.

«Yes, I heard the boos, but I did not react in any way. I just focused myself on football, the national team was having a friendly against a powerful opponent. Moreover, I also heard the applause from the stands when the team acted successfully. I heard them too,» Zhirkov said as quoted by Bobsoccer.ru.