Six Russian volleyball players sanctioned for links to bookmakers and influencing match results

The Russian Volleyball Federation has imposed disciplinary sanctions on six athletes suspected of involvement in illegal betting and attempts to manipulate results. This was reported by the Polish siatka.org, citing volleyball.it.

Among those sanctioned isDmitry Molotkov, who last played for the volleyball team ofMontana.

The decision was made on May 27 by theCommission for Combating Illegal Influence on Sports Resultsin Moscow. The sanctions are part of a larger investigation, which began in February 2025 and covered over 50 Russian volleyball clubs.

Over 50 clubs under scrutiny

The investigation revealed cases of direct or indirect involvement of athletes in betting on matches in which they participated or to which they had inside information. Reports of anomalies in results and playing behavior led to disciplinary measures affecting both current and former players from different age groups.

Harshest penalty for Vlasov

Kirill Vlasov, 21, who also played for Lokomotiv Novosibirsk and most recently for teams in Kazakhstan and Libya, received the strictest sanction. He received a one-year disqualification, which will expire in the spring of 2026.

Dmitry Kazakov (Dynamo Izhevsk) has been suspended for 6 months effective and an additional 6 months conditionally.

Dmitry Molotkov and three others with a conditional sanction

Dmitry Molotkov, who is also known to the Bulgarian public for his performances in Montana, along with Daniil Zavolzhsky, Alexander Goryan, and Kirill Semakov, has been sanctioned with a one-year conditional suspension. This means that the penalty will only be enforced in case of a new violation within a specified period.

The Federation clarifies that conditional penalties are imposed on athletes who have cooperated with the investigation and whose role in the violation is considered more limited.