Unofficially: Chemkam and Black Sea are barred from joining the RPL tournament
Suburban club "Khimki" and "Chernomorets" have been barred from participating in the upcoming Russian Championship due to failing to meet the mandatory licensing requirements, as per the Russian Football Union (RFU) website. This means that "Chernomorets", who finished fourth in the Football National League (FNL) and were preparing for playoff matches to earn promotion to the Russian Premier League (RPL), will not feature in the playoffs.
The reasons for disqualification are familiar ones: "Khimki" failed to provide the required financial guarantees, and "Chernomorets" lacks a stadium compliant with the league's criteria. In place of "Chernomorets" in the playoffs, "Sochi" will participate. It remains unclear who will take "Khimki's" place in the RPL's top division.
Current football league practice suggests that the replacement team would be the best-placed team in the lower division that did not initially earn promotion, or the next team in the promotion standings. However, specific information about the replacement team is not available at this time. without the final standings of the 2024-2025 Russian Football National League, the exact team name cannot be confirmed.
Meanwhile, football agent Sosin has voiced his disappointment over certain teams in the past Russian Championship season. Sergei Semak has summed up the season following a victory against "Akhmat", while Ural expresses hope to reach the RPL due to Chernomorets' problems, according to journalist Iliev.
In terms of relevant enrichment data, it is worth noting that standard league regulations in Russian football might see the next eligible team from the second-tier Russian Football National League promoted to replace Khimki in the top division. This would usually be the team finishing just below the initially promoted teams in the National League standings of the previous season.
The absence of Chernomorets in the playoffs could potentially open a spot for a team in the Russian Football National League (RFNL) to be promoted to the Russian Premier League (RPL), following standard league regulations. If Khimki is not able to find a way to meet the licensing requirements and secure a place in the RPL's top division, the next eligible team from the RFNL standings of the previous season could take their place, as is common practice.
