Chervichenko: It Was Clear Before the Playoffs That Pari NN Would Stay in the RPL

The former president of Moscow’s Spartak, **[Andrey Chervichenko](https://www.example.com)**, has weighed in on the Russian Football Union’s decision to keep Pari NN in the Russian Premier League for the 2025/2026 season, despite their defeat in the relegation play-offs.

«I’m unsure why it took so long to determine the 16th team of the RPL. I can’t say that Pari NN’s presence in the upcoming season is justifiable. In my opinion, a playoff spot could have been contested between Ural and Pari NN. However, there seems to be a strong inclination towards behind-the-scenes agreements rather than fair and rational decisions. Everyone was aware, even before the playoff matches, that Pari NN would remain in the RPL,» Chervichenko stated in an interview with Championship correspondent Vladislav Kruglov.

Earlier, the executive committee of the Russian Football Union confirmed the teams that will participate in the Russian Premier League for the upcoming season. For the 2025/2026 season, 16 teams will compete, including Pari NN, who lost to Sochi in the relegation play-offs.