Russian football club refuses to sell Putin-loving player to Ramzan Kadyrov
The soccer team “Locomotive” has rejected an offer by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to transfer the player Dmitry Tarasov to Grozny's local club. Last week, Tarasov was fined 300,000 euros ($330,000) for taking the field wearing a t-shirt bearing the image of Vladimir Putin. The Union of European Football Associations observes a strict ban on political statements on the field, and Tarasov also faces a possible 10-game suspension.
Kadyrov, one of the most vocal Putin supporters in a nation that loves its president dearly, offered to buy Tarasov's contract from Locomotive and pay his fine. Kadyrov insists that the soccer player did nothing wrong.
“I wanted to buy him and pay the fine they've given him. Today we got [the team's] answer that they're not willing to discuss the deal. They refuse. Oh well. I wanted to help the guy,” Ramzan Kadyrov said.