Russian Football Union remains without president

A conference of the Russian Football Union (RFU) has been held today in Moscow. According to the results, it was announced about the early termination of the powers of the president of the RFU, Nikolai Tolstoy. 

As a result of a secret ballot for the resignation of Tolstoy, 196 delegates voted against his dismissal, 22 delegates abstained. 235 delegates voted for his dismissal. 

A conference of the Russian Football Union (RFU) has been held today in Moscow. According to the results, it was announced about the early termination of the powers of the president of the RFU, Nikolai Tolstoy. 

As a result of a secret ballot for the resignation of Tolstoy, 196 delegates voted against his dismissal, 22 delegates abstained. 235 delegates voted for his dismissal.

 "I thank the RFU conference for the decision. I wish the Union to realize its plans for the development of football in Russia," Tolstoy said.

Nikita Simonyan was appointed to the post of the acting President of the Russian Football Union. In his speech addressed to the conference delegates he asked them not to say negative words in relation to Nikolay Tolstoy. ‘‘I have a big request not to say negative words about Nikolay Tolstoy. Now we are holding the licensing of coaches, I ask them the same question: 'Where have you started to work?' And then I answer: ‘'Before beginning you have to thank the predecessor." All Tolstoy's efforts were directed towards the development of our football team,’’ the acting RFU president said.

According to Simonyan, the priority of the Union is to find a solution to the financial problems. "Now we have to simultaneously solve all the issues of the financial plan and the business. We have a question of payment of coaches. Not only the main coach, but also others. And now we have 23 people," Simonyan noted.

He also stressed that the priority of the Russian team is more important than the interests of the clubs. "Today the main task is preparing for the World Cup. But before the World Cup the championship of Europe will be held in 2016. In this regard, I want to appeal to the leaders of the clubs: the priority of the national team is the most important thing. I understand that clubs have to play successfully, but the national team is the priority,’’ TASS cites him.