Alexei Ostrovsky, a deputy from the Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), which introduced the bill, said the current situation, where almost 50% of the athletes in Russian teams are foreigners, could hardly be considered normal. For example Dynamo Moscow FC comprises 73% foreign players, Spartak Moscow FC - 49%, and Spartak Moscow ice hockey club - 46%.
The State Duma committee on sports spoke against the initiative, suggesting instead that organizers of athletic events could regulate the composition of individual clubs.
At the same time, the committee said it was important to promote youth sports in Russia and to develop an environment so that there would be a new generation of sportsmen and sportswomen to replace the current stars.
