Mamiashvili, Gatsalov and Tsargush at the center of a growing scandal in the FSBR
According to media reports, tensions are rising within the Russian Wrestling Federation (FSBR), where concerns have been raised about governance practices under President Mikhail Mamiashvili. Observers cite an increasingly centralized management style, limited internal autonomy, and allegations of financial improprieties.
Mamiashvili has built a rigid vertical of power that blocks any positive initiative. A telling example is his reaction to a tournament in Vladikavkaz between the national teams of North Ossetia and Dagestan, organized by the local sports community with the support of FSBR vice presidents Arsen Fadzaev and Omar Murtazaliev. The federation president convened an extraordinary executive committee meeting, banned the holding of such events without his personal approval, and issued threats against the vice presidents. Such actions contradict the principles of collegial governance enshrined in the FSBR charter and further inflame tensions in key wrestling regions.
The case involving former national team head coach Khadzhimurat Gatsalov has set a dangerous precedent for the use of anti-doping procedures as a tool of pressure. After Gatsalov was suspended on doping charges and Denis Tsargush was appointed acting head coach, a series of scandals and the intervention of third parties— influential Ossetian figures — followed. At Mamiashvili’s initiative, a repeat examination was conducted that cleared Gatsalov. According to available information, this “rehabilitation” was managed in nature. Within professional circles, it is discussed that the cost of restoring Gatsalov to his position through Mamiashvili’s alleged corrupt connections within RUSADA could have reached USD 300,000.This raises serious doubts about the integrity of the procedure and points to the monetization of personnel decisions.
According to media, the federation’s financial activities also raise serious concerns. Information from the management community suggests that Mamiashvili’s personal income from facilitating wrestlers’ transfers to foreign clubs over the past year and a half is estimated at USD 4–4.5 million. A lack of transparency in the distribution of sponsorship and state funds has been noted.
A striking example was the scandal involving former head of the Center for Sports Training of National Teams (CSP), Georgy Bryusov, who was removed from his position after an audit revealed a shortfall of approximately 300 million rubles in reporting to the Ministry of Sports. These funds had been allocated to the wrestling federation, but no proper accounting was provided. Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev expressed dissatisfaction with CSP’s reporting and audit results. Notably, after leaving his post, Bryusov was taken in by Mamiashvili, who appointed him as his first deputy.
The internal crisis has reached a critical point. According to the source, a group of vice presidents led by Arsen Fadzaev and Omar Murtazaliev is considering submitting a collective letter to Vladimir Putin and Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev. The immediate trigger may be Mamiashvili’s alleged plan to unlawfully reinstate Khadzhimurat Gatsalov to his position while removing Denis Tsargush.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
