In The Aftermath Of The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine, Spartak Moscow Disbands The Second Tier Team Due To The Financial Crisis

JAKARTA - Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow admits it has disbanded its second tier team citing financial difficulties.

"Given the new realities and considering the need to cut the club's budget and its objective financial difficulties, the further existence of Spartak-2 is deemed unfeasible," Spartak said in a statement.

Spartak-2 plays in the Russian National Football League (FNL) which is the second division, since 2013.

Spartak said it would focus on developing its academy and youth team.

One of Russia's most popular clubs lost Nike as its kit sponsor this month after the US company terminated its sponsorship deal with Spartak barred from taking part in European competition next season.

European football's governing body, UEFA, has decided Russia will have no affiliated teams participating in its club competitions during the 2022-2023 season due to Moscow's military operations in Ukraine.

Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine on February 24 where the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia.