Clubs in the RPL have decided to retain "Pari" in the Premier League, over "Chemok"
The Russian Premier League (RPL) is in a state of uncertainty following the relegation of FC Khimki, with the decision on who will replace them for the upcoming season yet to be made.
During a session held on June 3, the RPL clubs voted on the matter, with the majority recommending the Russian Football Union (RFU) Executive Committee to consider the candidacy of football club 'Pari NN' for a place in the league. However, Zenit Saint Petersburg voted against this proposal.
According to Alexander Medvedev, chairman of Zenit's board, they voted against Pari NN because they were relegated on sporting grounds. However, the reasons behind Zenit's opposition to Pari NN remain unclear, with sources suggesting that the issue may be related to club or league governance concerns rather than on-field performance.
Zenit proposed 'Orenburg' as an alternative, citing the fact that Orenburg finished in the 15th place, which is higher than the one that lost the playoffs, Nizhny Novgorod Pari NN.
Meanwhile, the positions of the First League clubs on this issue are still awaited. It is worth noting that Moscow's 'Torpedo' and 'Baltika' Kaliningrad won direct promotion tickets to the RPL from the First League for the 2024/25 season, securing their spots in the league.
The final decision regarding Pari NN's placement in the league will be made by the RFU Executive Committee. The ongoing discussions and disputes in the Russian football community suggest that the final placement of Khimki's vacated position will be a topic of interest in the coming days.
In a historic moment, Krasnodar became the Russian champion for the first time in history during the 2024/25 season, marking a significant milestone in the club's history. However, the focus now shifts to the upcoming season and the resolution of the controversy surrounding the replacement for FC Khimki.
[1] Khimki was relegated and thus vacated their Premier League position. [2] The top two places in the First League provide a direct ticket to the Russian Premier League (RPL). [3] Zenit voted against Nizhny Novgorod Pari NN's promotion/replacement for unspecified reasons, likely related to club or league governance concerns rather than on-field performance. [4] Official confirmation of who exactly will replace Khimki remains not clearly stated in the sources, suggesting ongoing discussions or disputes in the Russian football community.
- Despite Zenit's opposition to Nizhny Novgorod Pari NN's promotion, the Russian Football Union (RFU) Executive Committee will have to decide on their placement in the Russian Premier League (RPL) for the upcoming season, due to Khimki's relegation and the resulting vacated position.
- The on-field performance of football clubs is not the primary concern for Zenit, as they voted against Nizhny Novgorod Pari NN because of potential club or league governance issues, while Orenburg is considered as an alternative candidate.
