Dyukov allowed the expansion of the Russian Premier League

The head of the Russian Football Union, Alexander Dyukov, said at a press conference that changing the number of RPL clubs at the moment would be a violation of the sports principle and would entail a loss of confidence in the competition.

“You cannot change the rules of the game during the championship. The sports principle is violated, confidence in the competition is lost. Otherwise, everything that happens on the football field is unimportant, because the results will be reviewed, ”Dyukov said.

Dyukov also noted that in the near future he is ready to return to the discussion of increasing the number of teams in the Russian Premier League.

“We are ready to return to discussing the issue of 18 teams, but these must be full-fledged clubs with the necessary funding and infrastructure. it is important for me that these clubs play modern and intense football with a clear philosophy. If I see such teams, then I agree with the increase in the number of RPL. Other members of the executive committee can also come up with such a proposal and will be considered, ”Dyukov said.

In conclusion, Dyukov added that at the moment the main broadcaster of the league, Gazprom-Media Holding, opposes the expansion of the RPL.

Earlier, the executive committee of the Russian Football Union (RFU) opposed the imposition of a moratorium on relegation of clubs from the Russian Premier League (RPL).

“The RPL left Arsenal and Rubin on a sporting basis,” the message on the RFU TELEGRAM channel says.

Following the results of the Russian Football Championship, Rubin Kazan and Arsenal Tula will go to the FNL. Instead, Torpedo Moscow and Fakel Voronezh will play in the RPL. Khimki and Ufa will play in play-offs with SKA-Khabarovsk and Orenburg.

At the end of March, the RFU already discussed the idea of ​​increasing the number of clubs in the RPL to 18. Then the executive committee rejected the initiative, sources told RBC Sport.

Such teams as "Rostov", "Ural", "Khimki", "Ufa", "Rubin", "Arsenal" supported the moratorium. The rest of the RPL clubs opposed the introduction of a moratorium on relegation of clubs to the FNL.