Monday, 26th November, 2012

The main backer of Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg has raised the prospect of the side leaving the Russian Premier League to join a new league made up of clubs from the former Soviet Union.

Zenit are unhappy at the decision of the Russian Football Federation to sanction the club to play two home games behind closed doors following a firecracker which was launched onto the pitch and injured the Dynamo Moscow goalkeeper on 17th November.



And so Gazprom, the main backers of Zenit, have floated the idea that Luciano Spalletti’s men could leave the Russian Premier League and join a new league altogether.

"Maybe we could play in another league", announced Gazprom CEO Alexi Miller on the club’s official site.

"Many, many people really think that we could play in a championship which takes in the former republics of the USSR and it is an idea that I strongly support.

"When the time comes to create a new league, and we act, we come closer to those who support this idea."

Zenit currently sit third in the Russian Premier League, behind Anzhi Makhachkala and league leaders CSKA Moscow.

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The champions are in action later today, when they host CSKA Moscow in what is already looking like a crucial match in determining the destination of this season’s title.

Read betting tips and previews at Inside Bet!