The club’s last professional game is scheduled for June 5
The Russian club which once boasted the likes of Roberto Carlos and Samuel Eto’o is set to fold, despite previously being one of the richest teams in the world.
Anzhi Makhachkala have been denied a licence for the Russian third tier after failing to meet the requirements and are now heading for extinction.
Following significant investment from billionaire oligarch Suleyman Kerimov, Anzhi reached the top-flight in Russia for the first time in 2011, with the club recruiting a number of high-profile signings – Brazilian legend Carlos among the first to sign.
After his arrival, Eto’o and Yuri Zhirkov also joined the Russian outfit before Guus Hiddink was appointed manager later that year.
Hiddink then signed Lassana Diarra and Willian, with the club narrowly missing out on qualification for the Champions League in that season.
However, they later reached the last-16 of the Europa League in the 2012/13 campaign before losing to Newcastle United.
Problems began to occur
When Kerimov opted to reduce the budget amid financial fair play concerns, key players – including Eto’o and Willian – were sold as a result.
In recent years, Anzhi have slipped down the divisions in Russia. They were also forced to use youth players because of a transfer ban imposed due to financial issues.
“The lack of a club license means the club automatically loses its professional status,” Anzhi said in a statement
“The entire team of Anzhi made every possible effort to pass the licensing procedure and hoped for a positive outcome until the very end.
“We believe this is not the end. We believe that one day Anzhi will return. One day this star will light up again and will shine even brighter!”
Anzhi Makhachkala, at one point the richest club in the world and home to Roberto Carlos & Samuel Eto’o, will cease to exist this summer after failing to receive a license for the Russian third tier. pic.twitter.com/70kUubfTPR
— Russian Football News (@RusFootballNews) June 3, 2022
The last game of the FNL2 season – and the last professional Anzhi game – is scheduled to be played on June 5.
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