Ex-Russia int'l explains why Spartak were willing to allow ex-Chelsea star Moses join Burnley

Published: March 28, 2022

Former Russia international winger Sergei Kiriakov has explained why Spartak Moscow were willing to sanction the departure of Victor Moses to Burnley.

Moses had agreed terms with the Clarets but the proposed switch was blocked by the English Premier League to protect the sporting integrity of the division.

UEFA and FIFA earlier confirmed that teams could register footballers from the Russian and Ukrainian Leagues after war broke out between the two neighbors.

Foreign players who play in the two countries were allowed to suspend their contracts until June and play for another team elsewhere.

Kiriakov acknowledged that Moses is Spartak Moscow's standout player but the Red and Whites wanted to part company with him because of his high wages.

"If the management really wants to unload the payroll, then the player should be released," Kiriakov said to Sports.ru.

"In this situation, everyone goes into economy mode. It's wrong to keep players with big salaries now."

He added : "He was a main player, but he never became a superstar. More was expected from Moses.

"His departure will not fundamentally affect Spartak. Victor is the main player of the red-whites, but nothing more."

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Moses was an important player for the last Chelsea side to win the Premier League, in 2016-2017 under manager Antonio Conte.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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