Two Russian international footballers held in jail on hooliganism charges

Zenit St Petersburg striker Aleksandr Kokorin and Krasnodar midfielder Pavel Mamaev will be detained in jail until 8th December while they await a ruling over charges of "hooliganism".

The crime carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, according to Russian news agencies.

The two Russian internationals were detained earlier this week after video footage emerged showing the men attacking two officials with the trade ministry in an up-market Moscow cafe.

One of the officials was hit with a chair while eating a meal - his lawyer claimed he received a concussion.

In a separate incident, the footballers attacked the driver of a television host and damaged her Mercedes.

The Russian Premier League called for tough sanctions against the duo before a Moscow court ruled that the pair should be held in jail.

The league said in a statement: "This incident casts a shadow over FC Zenit and FC Krasnodar, but over the whole of Russian football. We believe that those guilty should incur the most severe punishment There is no place for hooligans in football!"

Both Kokorin and Mamaev have represented their country, with 63 Russia caps between them. Kokorin was named in Russia's preliminary squad for this summer's World Cup, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Mamaev's last international appearance came during Euro 2016.



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