In
the summer of 1992, the Soviet Union (as a Football entity) took its last
breath during the 1992 UEFA European Championships in Sweden.
The
team managed by Anatoli Byshovets would be referred as CIS (Commonwealth of
Independent States) for its last few months of existence.
Ever
since the Failed Political Coup in the Summer of 1991, the former Soviet Union
had imploded into its separate Nations.
When
the 1994 World Cup qualifiers started in the Fall of 1992. The place of the
former USSR was now occupied by Russia (the largest confederation).
There
were some complaints that perhaps since the backbone of the Soviet Teams of the
recent era were Ukrainian (mostly from Dinamo Kiev) perhaps Ukraine (and not
Russia) should have been the Representative.
However,
as far as FIFA were concerned Russia were the recognized replacement of the old
Soviet Union.
The
new Manager appointed to lead Russia’s World Cup qualifying campaign was Pavel
Fyodorovich Sadyrin. As a player he had lined up for Zenit Leningrad in the 60s
and 70s. He had later been a Manager for the same club and had led them to the
1984 Soviet League Title. Afterwards he had managed CSKA Moscow and led them to
the Domestic Double (League and Cup) for 1991.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 54, July 1993
(Pavel Sadyrin) |
This
last title certainly helped his appointment as Russia’s Manager. Unlike his predecessor
Anatoli Byshovets, the last USSR Manager, Sadyrin was now constrained to a
smaller player pool of Russian players only, now that the Soviet Union had
broken up.
FIFA
had left it up to the individual players to choose their new International
destination.
The
possibility of perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in a World Cup,
enticed many non-Russian former Soviet Internationals to opt for Russian
citizenship to participate in the 1994 World Cup to be held in the United
States.
These
included Manchester United’s Winger Andrei Kanchelskis (Lithuanian Father and
Ukrainian Mother) and Estonian born Valeri Karpin.
Other
Ukrainians such as defender Viktor Onopko, as well as Yuri Nikiforov and Oleg
Salenko (who had actually played in Friendlies for Ukraine) and Sergei Yuran
also opted for Russian Nationality.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 16, May 1994
(Andrei Kanchelskis) |
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 54, July 1993
(New
Russian Internationals: Victor Onopko, Andrei Kanchelskis, Sergei Yuran and
Sergei Kiriakov)
|
Sadyrin
could still call upon a core of Russian players (mostly based abroad) such as
Igor Shalimov, Karlsruhe Sergei Kiriakov and Vassili Kulkov as a well as a
large contingent from the Russian Team of the Moment Spartak Moscow.
Their
Qualification Group included Greece, Hungary, Iceland, and Luxembourg.
Russia
were seen as the Group favorites and their path appeared even easier since
former Group member Yugoslavia had been banned from participating in the
qualifiers as punishment for the escalation of their Civil War.
This
new look Team played its first match in a friendly vs. Mexico on August 17,
1992 (2-0 win). The last match from a Russian National Team had been before the
First World War.
The
qualification Campaign started with two matches in the month of October against
the Group’s weaker sides: Iceland on Luxembourg.
A
victory on October 14th at Moscow vs. Iceland (1-0) was followed by
a (2-0) win vs. Luxembourg two weeks later at the same venue.
Russia
continued with two new victories in the new year (April 1993) at Luxembourg
(4-0 win, April 14th) and an important win at Moscow vs. Hungary
(3-0, April 28th).
By
now it was a clear that it would be a race between the Russians and Greece for
the leadership of the Group.
The
Russians hosted the Greeks in Moscow on May 23rd, 1993. The result
was a diplomatic tie (1-1) for the teams that seemed headed to qualify without
much difficulty. By now, the only question was which one would finish first in
the Group.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, May 1994
(Russia
squad, May 23, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Russia 1-Greece 1)
|
Just
weeks later (June 2nd) Russians sealed qualification with another
tie (1-1) at Reykjavik vs. Iceland.
The
final matches in the Group were a formality. A comfortable win (3-1) over
Hungary at Budapest on September 8th set the stage for the somewhat
inconsequential final qualifier vs. Greece at Athens on November 17th,
1993.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 54, July 1993
(Russia
squad, June 2, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Iceland 1-Russia 1)
|
In
a disappointing match for the Russians, they would lose (0-1) and qualify as
the second best in the Group (in addition, Onopko was sent off near then end).
The
qualification process had been comfortable in a not too difficult Group, but
the Russians had generally not impressed.
It
was the events following this final qualifier vs. Greece that would lead to a
rebellion of the senior players against the Manager Pavel Sadyrin.
Sadyrin
had not helped matters by blaming the result on foreign-based players such as
Shalimov, Yuran and Kiriakov.
Tensions
were already high, as the Referee from Gabon, Jean Fidele Diramba, had ruled
out a last minute equalizer from Igor Dobrovolsky.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 16, May 1994
(Igor Dobrovolsky) |
At
the conclusion of the match, the Russian Federation President Vyacheslav
Koloskov stormed into the dressing rooms and criticized the players for their
performance. This act sent the players over the boiling point, already
disappointed with the events in the last minute of the match.
The
players defended themselves and argued with Koloskov. During these arguments,
Koloskov also disclosed that the Russian Federation had signed a contract with
‘Reebok’ for the World Cup (on the players behalf) and all the players were to
adhere to the contract and play with their boots. This further enraged some of
the players who already had personal contracts with other sponsors for their
boots.
Apparently
National Team Manager Sadyrin had been aware and on board with this deal and
this further widened the rift with the rest of the squad.
Igor
Shalimov later disclosed it was at this moment that he knew Sadyrin was not on
their side and on the side of the Federation.
Back
at their Hotel, the Hilton in Athens, the players convened in one of the rooms
to discuss a course of action.
The
coaching staff were informed of this gathering. Assistant Manager Yuri Semin
spoke with the players in the hope to diffuse the situation and mend fences but
the players were inconsolable and it was to no avail.
Shalimov
would later admit that in their team discussion he had proposed the idea of
writing to someone with authority to air their grievances.
He
thought of his friend Tamil Tarpischev, the Presidential Sports Advisor, since he had access
to President Boris Yeltsin.
Upon
their return to Moscow the next day, fourteen players signed an open letter
that was published in Newspapers and directed to Russian President Boris
Yeltsin.
The
players in question were: Igor Shalimov, Igor Dobrovolsky, Sergei Kiriakov,
Andrei Kanchelskis, Yuri Nikiforov, Valeri Karpin, Andrei Ivanov, Sergei Yuran,
Igor Kolivanov, Viktor Onopko, Dmitri Khlestov, Oleg Salenko, Vassili Kulkov
and Alex Mostovoi.
The
original letter was signed by eleven players. Andrei Kanchelskis had not been
present since he was suspended for the match vs. Greece; however, he faxed his
signature over after a phone call from Shalimov.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 54, July 1993
(Andrei
Ivanov)
|
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, October 1994
(Vassili
Kulkov, May 23, 1993, World Cup Qualifier, Russia 1-Greece 1)
|
Spartak
Moscow pair of Valeri Karpin and Andrei Ivanov (also not present in Greece)
signed the letter once in Moscow.
Others
present in Athens who did not sign the letter were Dmitri Galyamin , Dimitri
Kharin, Stanislav Cherchesov, Dmitri Popov and Dmitri Radchenko.
After
all the signatures were collected the letter was officially submitted to Tamil Tarpischev.
In
this letter, the rebels also addressed three areas of concern:
1-The
return of Anatoli Byshovets as Head Coach to lead the team in the World Cup.
2-The
Modifications of the financial bonuses for qualification and also for the
Finals.
3-Immediate
improvement in Organization and Logistics related to the Team.
The
players believed to improve the team’s performance especially in the World Cup,
these issues needed to be addressed and resolved.
The
Federation was blamed for its Mismanagement and Organizational Errors,
Financial Manipulation and general poor logistics and training conditions.
They
also questioned the competence of Head Coach Pavel Sadyrin. They dismissed him
as just ‘a good club coach’ but who was out of depth in the International Arena
and still reliant on out-dated methods of training.
They
even credited their qualification on the previous USSR Manager Anatoli
Byshovets. They felt that Byshovets had laid the groundwork for this current
team during the 1992 Euro qualifiers and not Sadyrin.
 |
Photo
From: Calciatori 1991-92, Campionato Italiano Serie A, Panini
(Igor
Shalimov with Foggia, 1991/92)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 16, May 1994
(Sergei
Kiriakov)
|
There
are multiple reasons why this extreme step was taken at a time when one would
have thought the players and Federation would have been basking in the glory of
qualification and let bygones be bygones.
There
were similarities to the situation with the Dutch National Team from just a few
years prior. Upon their qualification for the 1990 World Cup, the Dutch led by
stars such as Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten had led a rebellion to oust the
Manager Thijs Ligbrets. They succeeded in doing so and this precedent perhaps
emboldened the so-called Russian ‘Refuseniks’.
There
were many players who felt Sadyrin’s methods were too dictatorial.
Many
of the players also were antagonistic towards Sadyrin for his tendency to
always side with the Federation for various matters, in contrast to Byshovets
who apparently sided with the players.
Sadyrin’s
problems with the players was not limited to the foreign-based contingent, the
Spartak Moscow players were also seemingly opposed to him.
As
far as their hostility towards the Federation officials, it also came to light
that in their Training Camp at Novogorsk for days (before their final qualifier
vs. Greece) the heat had been switched off. The extreme cold had forced the
players to sleep with their coats on.
It
was also reported around this time, former USSR Manager Anatoli Byshovets had
delayed his departure to South Korea (on his way for a coaching position) as he
felt he might be appointed in time for the World Cup.
It
later transpired that Shalimov had contacted him about their plans and their
preference for him to manage them.
Upon
the onset of this act of defiance (or insolence depending who you ask), the
Russian Federation and its President Vyacheslav Koloskov, along with the Sports Ministry, backed Sadyrin and denied
these charges.
Sadyrin
famously remarked "In
the whole civilized world, the coach picks players, not the other way
around."
On
December 6th, 1993, Sadyrin accused Byshovets of having masterminded
the letter to oust him. Sadyrin believed that most players signed the letters
without realizing its full contents. He believed the players thought the letter
contained financial and bonus related details (and not his removal).
By
the new year (1994), it was appearing unlikely that Byshovets would be appointed.
In January, Byshovets contacted Shalimov, informing him of his offer in South
Korea. He told him he would not take the offer without the consent of the rest
of the squad. In the end he would go to Korea since iit seemed unlikely that
Sadyrin would be removed.
On
January 21st, Nikita Simonyan, The Deputy Federation President,
declared that the 14 rebels would be expelled and denied from participating in
the World Cup unless they dropped their demand for the dismissal of Sadyrin.
Sadyrin
started preparations by calling up 45 players for a meeting in Moscow to
discuss the World Cup preparations. Of those summoned, only 26 showed up at the
meeting on January 25th.
The
core contingent of the rebels still held out. Igor Shalimov, along with
Dobrovolsky, Mostovoi, Kiriakov, Ivanov, Kulkov and Yuran made their position
clear at a Media Conference at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Moscow. They were accompanied by Tamil Tarpischev and
Vitali Smirnov, the Russia Olympic committee President.
Russian
Federation President Vyacheslav Koloskov continued his unwavering support for
Sadyrin and blamed ‘Shalimov and his friends’ for being greedy.
Koloskov
felt the coaching dispute was just an excuse and smokescreen to seek more
money.
He
also warned that FIFA might replace Russia with Australia if this matter was
not resolved (difficult to say if he was honest or bluffing).
Sadyrin
took a weakened and mostly experimental squad on this tour of North America in
late January.
They
tied USA on January 30th (1-1) and defeated Mexico (4-1) on February
2nd.
Oleg
Salenko, who was one of the 14 rebels, was included on the tour and became the
first of the rebels to make peace. Many would view this as an act of betrayal
and disloyalty.
After
the win over Mexico, Sadyrin said: "This is the group of players to whom
I'll put my faith. There are enough first-class players in Russia."
In
an Interview on February 19th, Sergei Yuran became the second rebel
to come back to the fold.
The
rebellion seemed to be subsided after the Byshovets possibility appeared to be
a dead issue.
As
far as financial incentives, a bonus fee of £70,000 was negotiated (for
winning).
In
the meantime, Russia played a preparation friendly vs. the Republic of Ireland
on March 23rd at Dublin that ended scoreless.
On
April 4th, the Federation declared an ultimatum that by April 8th;
the remaining rebels must accept Sadyrin as Manager.
There
were rumors that Spartak Moscow Manager Oleg Romantsev might replace Sadyrin in
the last minute. Despite having large support from his club contingent this
course of action did not materialize.
Romantsev
was credited for convincing some of the Spartak Moscow ‘Refuseniks’ to rejoin
the National Team. He told them that everyone must decide on their own if they
would like to rejoin.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, April 1994
(Viktor Onopko) |
Spartak
duo of Yuri Nikiforov and Viktor Onopko would be the next rebels to return to
the National Team. The duo along with Yuran lined up in Russia’s friendly win
(1-0) over Turkey at Istanbul on April 20th.
Afterwards,
Alex Mostovoi and Spartak Moscow’s Dmitri Khlestov also rejoined the squad.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 69, October 1994
(Alex
Mostovoi with Strasbourg)
|
The
seventh and last ‘Refusenik’ to rejoin the squad was Spartak Moscow’s Valeri
Karpin on May 20th.
The
Russians along with some of the returnees played their final friendly on May 29th
vs. Slovakia (2-1 win) prior to departure for America.
From
the original 14, Salenko, Nikiforov, Karpin, Yuran, Onopko, Khlestov and
Mostovoi were back.
There
were seven remaining players who still would not compromise.
Shalimov
and Dobrovolsky (the ringleaders), as well as Kanchelskis, Kiriakov, Ivanov,
Kulkov and Kolivanov.
 |
Photo
From: Calciatori 1991-92, Campionato Italiano Serie A, Panini
(Igor Kolivanov with Foggia, 1991/92) |
Sadyrin
now with a stronger hand expressed that a compromise might still be reached
with Kanchelskis and Kiriakov but no relationship could be established with
Shalimov and Dobrovolsky.
In
the end the remaining seven maintained their position and missed out on the
World Cup.
The
World Cup was a disappointing one for the weakened Russian side.
A
defeat against eventual World Cup winners Brazil on June 20th (0-2)
was followed by another disappointing loss vs. Sweden (1-3) on June 24th
and they were eliminated.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1994
(Sergei
Gorlukovich and Leonardo, June 20, 1994, World Cup, Brazil 2-Russia 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 66, July 1994
(June 20, 1994, World Cup, Brazil 2-Russia 0) |
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, August 1994
(June
24, 1994, World Cup, Sweden 3-Russia 1)
|
There
was another instance of indiscipline with one of the former rebels when Sergei
Yuran fell out with Sadyrin once again and missed a training session.
He
was sent home by the Russian Federation.
The
only bright spot for Russia in this World Cup would be in their final
inconsequential group match vs. Cameroon on June 28th.
Former
Rebel and the first returnee Oleg Salenko entered the history books by scoring
five goals in Russia’s win (6-1). Along with the goal he had scored vs. Sweden,
he became the joint top goalscorer of the World Cup with six goals.
He
may not have even played had Yuran not been axed from the squad.
 |
Photo
From: The Game, Issue 8, November 1995
(Oleg
Salenko)
|
This
World Cup ended a sad chapter for Russian Football and immediately afterwards Pavel
Sadyrin resigned form his post.
Russian
Federation President Koloskov who had supported him throughout praised Sadyrin
for his courage and patriotism.
There
were many reasons as to events reached to such a point where a rebellion was
deemed necessary by the players.
The
mismanagement and lack of organization on the part of the Federation appears to
be theme that most would agree on.
Igor
Shalimov would further highlight these problems by recounting stories on how
some of the foreign-based players were stranded at airports and/or left on
their own devices to meet up the squad during away matches.
Koloskov’s
excuse for such instances was that due to growing pains of a then-new Nation
they still had to learn and adapt.
A
Nation steeped in communism for over seventy years now had to suddenly compete
in a new Capitalist World where they had to survive on their own.
The
players were also suddenly in this world of the West and were suddenly faced
with dealing with money and sponsorships.
These
players also witnessed freer forms of expressions displayed by their Western
colleagues and were encouraged to speak out.
It
is also possible that Sadyrin, brought up in the rigid system of the old Soviet
Union, was not accustomed to an era of player power and openness.
In
hindsight, many also believed that perhaps Koloskov had been too hasty in
attacking his own players following the match vs. Greece. He had made an
already volatile atmosphere worse with his tirade.
Perhaps,
all the parties involved should have waited a few days and then discussed the
problems in calmer circumstances.
In
addition, the Federation should have been more transparent in their agreement
with Reebok and not deal behind the players’ backs.
This
clearly rubbed the players the wrong way and the perceived complicity of
Sadyrin also irrevocably damaged his relationship with the squad.
Koloskov
would later defend the decision to sign with Reebok (for the boots) by pointing
out that they were the only sponsors who paid the National Team money and
provided outfits. They were also bound by a contact via the Russian Olympic
Committee, as Reebok supplied the kit for all the sports.
If
accurate that appears to be a reasonable line of action, however, the squad
should have been informed and in the loop.
Dmitri
Galyamin was one of the players present in Greece on that fateful day that did
not sign the letter. He would later disclose that he agreed with the players’
demands as far as the organizational (or therelackof) but did not agree with
the replacement of Sadyrin. Perhaps had the players limited their demands to
the organization/bonuses and not the coaching change, the Officials would have
met the players halfway.
What
is surprising is the course of action by players, for whom, this might have
been the only opportunity to play in a World Cup. Even more surprising, the
fact that some players involved (ex. Kanchelskis, Onopko, etc) had obtained
Russian Citizenship solely for that purpose.
The
Dutch precedence in 1990 perhaps encouraged them, however, the lesson of the
Dutch was not completely learned. Because even after they succeeded in their
Coup, the Dutch were a shadow of their former selves and a demoralized squad
performed poorly on the World Stage.
It
must also be remembered that the Dutch Mutineers had more clout, as they
contained two ‘Ballon d’Or’ winners (Gullit/van Basten) as well as a host of
Internationals that had won the Champions Cup and more importantly the 1988
UEFA European Championships.
Koloskov
would later express regret that they had negotiated and convinced a number of
the rebels to come back. He felt this backfired as more tensions were sawn
between the rebels and players who had stayed loyal to Sadyrin.
It
was reported that there was disunity and
friction within the squad that when Salenko scored against Sweden in the World Cup, only one of
the Russian Substitutes celebrated because the substitutes were envious of the
starters.
After
the World Cup, Oleg Romantsev of Spartak Moscow was appointed as the new
Russian Manager. He was the popular choice as he had managed many of the
players at the club level and had the respect of the playing staff.
He
combined the jobs of managing his club along with the National Team.
The
remaining rebels would slowly return to the fold, except surprisingly top
goalscorer Salenko (whom many viewed as a traitor).
Pavel
Sadyrin would return to club Football and manage his old clubs Zenit (St.
Petersburg) and CSKA Moscow (in two separate spells). He also had a stint at
Rubin Kazan.
He
passed away due to cancer on December 1st, 2001 aged 59.
 |
Photo
From: World Soccer, May 1994
(Pavel
Sadyrin)
|
Note:
In
Press Reports the rebels were sometimes referred as ‘Refuseniks.’
A
‘Refusenik’ was actually a term used to describe Soviet Citizens during the
Communist era who were denied permission to emigrate by Soviet Authorities.
References:
Onze-Mondial,
Issue 54, July 1993
Onze-Mondial,
Hors Serie 16, May 1994
Onze-Mondial,
Hors Serie 16, May 1994
World
Soccer, January 1994
World
soccer, February 1994
World
Soccer, March 1994
World
Soccer, April 1994
World
Soccer, May 1994
World
Soccer, July 1994
World
Soccer, August 1994
World
Soccer, September 1994
World
Soccer, October 1994
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