Davit Mujiri's break up from Loko appears not to have been mutual
–Conflicting information
A strange development washed over the Russian press today regarding Lokmotiv Moskva’s decision to terminate the contract of midfielder Davit Mujiri.
Mujiri had joined Lokomotiv from Krylia Sovetov Samara in the middle of 2008, but never truly impressed the Moskva club. It was only at the end of 2009 that the Georgian came under sharp criticism after failing to show up at club gathering on 28 December.
Today Mujiri spoke out against his dismissal, claiming the separation was not mutual—as the club originally claimed–accusing the Moskva club of a breach of contract. The player argues that the accusation that he failed to attend a meeting is false, claming the club was merely trying to find a means of firing him. “The team gathered after the holiday on 8 January. I, like all the other players, attended the first training session. . . . I was handed a dismissal order on 21 January, after having trained for five days.”
“The news came as a surprise to me,” said Mujiri. “I am just shocked. I’m very sorry Lokomotiv’s leadership has behaved in such a way. I do not think that such behavior befits a club wishing to play in the Champions League.”
Mujiri now plans on taking the club to court to settle the dispute.
Loko president Nikolai Naumov defended his club’s decision in an interview with Sovetski Sport. “I am not a supporter of repressive measures,” claimed Naumov. “But carelessness cannot be tolerated. Mujiri knew that he had to go to work on 28 December, as he signed an agreement. Nevertheless, he failed to do so.”
“In the case of Mujiri, who has put forth little effort, I have not seen anything except the desire to receive wages. I simply exercised the right to dismiss a negligent employee. We are operating in full compliance with Russia’s labor laws. I am sure a court, should it come to that, will support us.”
–Kim Dong-Jin has been released by Zenit St. Petersburg.
The St. Petersburg club officially announced the decision on their website, citing the left-back’s unsatisfactory medical examination. The left-back experienced several bouts of fainting last year while on international duty with South Korea, causing him to miss the last seven weeks of the 2009 season.
--Guilherme vs. Tomas
CSKA Moskva coach Leonid Slutsky has decided to spice up the inter-squad competition. At least, that is, in terms of who heads the attack in his 4-2-3-1.
After the conclusion of the Army club’s first training camp, Slutsky announced that if the Champions League was to start tomorrow he would start Guilherme.
“If the match against Sevilla was tomorrow, Guilherme would get the start,” said the Spanish-sun-tanned version of Slutsky. “Why didn’t he compete with Tomáš Necid last season? There were two reasons: Guilherme was recovering from injury, and Necid was in good form. . . . In any case, there will be competition for the forward position. The main thing is that it’s at the highest possible level.”
Guilherme is currently on loan from Dynamo Kyiv. In 2009 the former Cruzeiro striker scored 3 goals in 5 matches for CSKA.
Josip Knežević could be added to the Citizens' midfield
–Any relation to Dario?
FK Moscow is considering the transfer of NK Osijek (Croatia) 21-year-old midfielder Josip Knežević, according to Sport-Express.
An agreement on Knežević’s transfer could take place on 7 February, while the Citizens meet for their second training session in Belek, Turkey.
Why such a precise date? That happens to be the same day that the Croatian club will be in Belek in preparation for the second half of their season.
The 6 ft. midfielder is a playmaker by trade, having become the top assist-man for his club over the last two years. Thus far this season Knežević has been in excellent form, not only efficiently distributing the ball to his teammates but scoring 5 goals in 15 matches. In addition, he has gained considerable experience with the Croatia U-21 club, having featured in 13 matches to date—helping them to their current position atop Group 7 in Euro-2011 qualification.
[...] few weeks ago Knežević had been linked with FK Moskva, but with the Citizens luck turning (cough) sour, Amkar have become the beneficiary of the talented [...]