The Russian Premier League (RPL) has officially published its match schedule for the remaining 2024/2025 season, bringing exciting updates to fans and players alike. Fans are eager as the league approaches crucial matches that every team must tackle.
On March 20, 2025, the league revealed the lineup of matches that will lead to an enthralling conclusion to the season, particularly highlighting special scheduling considerations due to the upcoming celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory Day on May 9. A significant adjustment has been made for the 28th round, currently under additional review, as it will coincide with this monumental celebration.
The schedule for the 24th matchday kicks off on April 11, 2025, with a thrilling matchup between Spartak and Dynamo Makhachkala at 19:30. Following that on April 12, several significant games will unfold, including Orenburg's clash against CSKA at 12:00 and Rubin facing Lokomotiv at 17:00. The matchdays continue into April 13, where fans will see Zenit going against Krasnodar and Khimki challenging Krylya Sovetov.
Notably, the public's attention is drawn to the expert judgment announced on March 20 regarding player conduct on the field. The Expert-Judicial Commission (EJC) operating under the auspices of the Russian Football Union made headlines by confirming the removal of Dutch midfielder Dilan Mertens from the 21st round match against Orenburg was incorrect. During the match, which took place on March 15, 2025, referee Artem Lyubimov controversially dismissed Mertens in the 53rd minute, leading to a wave of scrutiny and complaints regarding the officiating.
In light of this decision, an EJC statement reassured that Mertens is now cleared to participate in the upcoming away match against Krasnodar and reinforced the idea of fair play in the league. "After the cancellation of the red card, Mertens can participate in the away game against Krasnodar," reported the press service of Fakel Voronezh.
This ruling isn't an isolated incident. Earlier, the EJC recognized another erroneous red card issued to Fakel midfielder Vyacheslav Yakimov during a previous match. Officials stated that Yakimov's actions, although deemed questionable, did not meet the threshold of denying an opponent a clear goal-scoring opportunity. These developments reflect a growing commitment by the league to ensure fairness and transparency during matches, addressing concerns over referee decisions directly.
Fakel Voronezh currently finds itself in a challenging position, sitting at 15th place in the league standings with merely 14 points accrued from 21 matches. The team faces the uphill challenge of securing favorable outcomes in their remaining matches to avoid relegation as the season progresses. Fans clamor for improvement as each match day presents a new opportunity for teams to change their fortunes.
As the season approaches critical junctures in both player performances and standings, the Russian Premier League remains a source of enthusiasm and suspense. The collaboration between the league and the Russian Football Union exemplifies efforts to maintain integrity and foster fair competition among all participating teams.
In summary, as teams prepare for their next commitments, both the adjusted match schedule and the actions taken regarding officiating decisions highlight key elements of what makes the RPL an engaging league. Fans continue to support their respective teams while anticipating the decisions that will shape the final standings as the season draws to a close.
