Meanwhile in Russia, ref stops game to beat player

This might be one of the strangest “meanwhile in Russia” clips we’ve ever seen. During a game between Amkar Perm and Terek Grozny a linesman brutally attacked one of the players on the pitch, sending him to the ground before unleashing a furious kick.

According to the linesman, the two exchanged words ahead of the attack.

“The ref blew the final whistle and I started walking to our bench, when suddenly someone came from behind, pushed me to the ground and began kicking and punching me,” the 18-year-old Amkar player told reporters.

“Terek players then joined the attack. Someone grabbed me by the throat, another hit me … bloodying my face.

“Thank God, my team-mates came to the rescue. Special thanks to Vlasov from Terek. We had known each other from a youth academy in St Petersburg and he helped me escape.”

Kadyrov said Krichmar had insulted him but the player denied the allegation. “We weren’t happy with the officiating, words had been exchanged but I had never said anything personal about him or his mother,” he said. “I know how sensitive Chechen people are.”

Oh Russia, you never disappoint. I’m only shocked this hasn’t happened before. Or has it? Camcorders are still making their way into the nooks and crannies of Eastern Siberia so like, stay tuned for more Russian theatrics.

(via Reddit)