Russia footballers charged with assault and hooliganism

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Two Russian footballers have been charged with assault and hooliganism, in a high-profile case that triggered hot debates across the country.

Zenit St Petersburg’s Aleksandr Kokorin and Krasnodar’s Pavel Mamaev are accused of attacking a trade Ministry Official with a chair and also beating up a driver in Moscow on 08 October.

The Trade Official needed medical treatment after the incident.

The two Russia internationals now face up to seven years in jail.

Kokorin’s brother and another man were also charged on Thursday in Moscow.

Kokorin, 27, has 48 caps for Russia, but missed this year’s home World Cup through injury, while thirty-year-old Mamaev has 15 caps.