Following the three rounds of RPL, Spartak has scored more goals than they have conceded.
In the ongoing 2025 season of the Russian Premier League (RPL), Spartak Moscow has found itself embroiled in a series of controversies and refereeing scandals. These incidents have sparked significant debate among fans, analysts, and the media, with concerns surrounding biased officiating decisions that have impacted Spartak’s matches.
Key points about the controversies include:
- Disputed Penalty Calls: Spartak players and coaches have publicly criticized several penalty decisions against them, which they argue were incorrect or overly harsh. These decisions have influenced the outcomes of key matches early in the 2025 season.
- VAR Controversies: The use of VAR in Spartak’s games has been a flashpoint. Spartak’s management and supporters claim that VAR interventions have been inconsistent, with some critical fouls or offsides overlooked while others were heavily scrutinized against them. Notably, VAR cannot help with yellow card decisions.
- Referee Performances: Specific referees officiating Spartak’s matches have come under scrutiny for perceived partiality or errors. Media analyses and fan forums have highlighted patterns suggesting that some referees may not have been impartial in games involving Spartak.
- Official Complaints: Spartak has filed official complaints with the RPL and the Russian Football Union regarding the refereeing standards and specific incidents, requesting investigations and increased transparency in officiating.
These controversies have stirred wider discussion about the integrity of refereeing in Russian football, with calls for reforms in referee training, selection, and VAR implementation to prevent such scandals from recurring.
The controversies have also affected Spartak's performance on the field. In the match against Dynamo Makhachkala, referee Vasily Kazartsev only counted one goal out of five that Spartak scored, and two potential penalties were not awarded to Spartak. Additionally, in the next two matches against Baltika and Akron, three Spartak players were sent off the field.
Despite these challenges, Spartak has strengthened its team with only Anton Zabolotny during the off-season, acquired by Spartak for free as a result of the bankruptcy of the Moscow region's "Khimki". However, the team's performance in the new season has been lacklustre, with only one win and two goals scored, currently placing Spartak in 11th place in the RPL table.
In a notable incident, Artem Dzyuba converted a penalty in the 95th minute against "Akron", making the final score 1:1. Jesé, the most expensive foreign player in Spartak's history, failed to make an impact in his debut match and was substituted at halftime.
The next challenge for Spartak comes on August 9, as they face league leaders "Lokomotiv" away. The outcome of this match could be anything, but a scandal is guaranteed to add to the ongoing saga of the 2025 season.
For the most detailed and updated information, I recommend checking official RPL news sources and Spartak Moscow’s communications, as the situation may continue to evolve during the season.
Bookmakers across European-leagues, including the Premier League, are keeping a close eye on Spartak Moscow's ongoing troubles in the 2025 Russian Premier League (RPL) due to numerous controversial refereeing decisions. The disputed penalty calls, VAR controversies, and questionable performances of certain referees have led to Spartak's poor performance on the field, with a lackluster record and only one win thus far, currently placing them in 11th place. With their upcoming match against league leaders "Lokomotiv" on August 9, the uncertainty and potential for additional scandals continue to dominate discussions.
