Ex-Coach Tarkhanov: Club Could Be Expelled If Referee Interference Is Proven

The former head coach of Moscow’s Torpedo, **Alexander Tarkhanov**, shared his views on the arrest of the club’s owner, **Leonid Sobolev**. It was previously reported that a criminal case was opened due to an alleged attempt to bribe a referee in favor of the club.

— An investigation regarding the owner of Torpedo is currently underway. If the allegations are proven true, the club could be expelled from the RPL. If there was indeed interference with refereeing, it would be justified to exclude Torpedo. However, there must be solid evidence that a bribe was given or that threats were made.

**— Do you feel sorry for Torpedo’s fans?**
— What can be done now? It seems that the club’s leadership acted foolishly. I find it hard to believe that a wealthy person and the owner of Torpedo would personally approach the referee. If this is indeed the case, it’s more likely that his aides were the ones involved, — Tarkhanov stated in an interview with Championship correspondent Vladislav Kruglov.