- The new owners of Spartak should have been introduced a couple of weeks ago. But there is still no news, everything is constantly being postponed. What happens to the team?
- Nothing happens to the team yet, because it is not there. There is only a legal entity. And now there is intensive work with potential partners, which will be announced soon.
“We hear that all the time.” You said that someone’s ambitions interfere with work. Whose?
- These are internal issues that arise in any business. Nothing wrong. I hope that by the end of the week everything will be decided.
- It is known that when buying a club, the new owners want to see him in the Super League a year later. But what about the decision of the executive committee of the hockey federation, where it was said that the team will begin the season in the major league?
“I don't see a problem here.” This executive committee lives on Soviet ideas. Previously, everyone did as the Central Committee of the party would say. Today is different. Who are members of the executive committee to exclude a team from the super league? Far from hockey people. In the sense that they are not involved in financing, team building. Now the club must have 12 million dollars to just participate in the championship. Spartak will have that kind of money. And what, some members of the executive committee will destroy everything? Yes, do not be this! To change this decision, we will sue if necessary. Spartak didn’t leave the Super League in a non-sporting way.
- Do you think that the executive committee of the FHR will make a new decision?
“Where will they go?” Spartak is the name. In any city of the country, red and white gather full stands. This is a business, this is the popularization of hockey. So the decision of the executive committee of the FHR is politically incorrect.
- The new owners of the team did not buy it for business. They themselves announced this. Then why do they need such an expensive project?
- You know, if all rich people were spending money like that, it would be very good. After all, all our oligarchs did not earn money through their labor. You understand what I mean. And, if they did not take out finances abroad, did not buy foreign football clubs, and left the income here, it would be much better.
- Your partners from those who do not export money to the West?
- Yes. For them, a hockey club is part of the image. They want to have their own team. If the oligarchs invested in Russian hockey, we would have a very strong championship.
- If the plans come true, will you be back in big hockey? Will you be the current vice president of the club, will you start managing the breeding policy?
“Wait a little while nothing has happened yet.” But there was such a conversation. What can I say? I'm not afraid of any work, I am ready to help the team, as before.
- And will you talk with the players about their contracts?
- Why not?
- So time is running out. You have so many business projects.
- Don’t worry, that's enough.
Alexey Shevchenko