MOSCOW, December 25 Kazan Ak Bars at the official website stated that the club had not received information that forward Damir Zhafyarov and defenseman Nikita Evseev filed a lawsuit with the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) demanding that their contracts be terminated due to discrimination on the part of the coach, neither the league nor the players.
Hockey players' agent Shumi Babaev announced the filing of a lawsuit earlier. He also noted that after this appeal, neither Ak Bars general manager Marat Valiullin nor the team’s head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov contacted him.
"Currently, Ak Bars does not have official information about this requirement — the club has not received any requests from either the league or the player. "Ak Bars" does not welcome public discussion of such situations, which in any case are resolved not on the pages of the media, but in personal meetings with all parties. "Ak Bars" categorically condemns the attempt to divide responsibility between the management and coaching staff of the club. Head coach of Ak Bars — one of the main people in our organization, determining the team’s play, its composition and direction of development. We completely trust Zinetula Bilyaletdinov in these matters, relying on his many years of experience, including in the development of hockey players. Currently, Damir Zhafyarov and Nikita Evseev have valid contracts with Ak Bars. The club does not take any illegal actions against its employees,” the statement says.
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«Damir Zhafyarov, continuing his recovery from injury, is currently referring to the no-trade clause, which was included in the contract at the request of his representatives. The player's side is ready to waive this clause only in one case, which does not suit Ak Bars». Despite this, the hockey club is making great efforts on its part to find a new team for the hockey player on conditions that are comfortable for everyone. At the same time, Zhafyarov is on equal terms with all Ak Bars players and can prove his right to play with his work in the first team. Nikita Evseev, in accordance with a bilateral contract, was sent to the Almetyevsk club «Neftyanik» not only to gain playing shape, but also to help his home team in the fight for the Petrov Cup — the main title of the VHL. We encourage all participants in the process to return to a substantive dialogue without involving third and fourth parties. The Ak Bars hockey club will no longer give public comments on this matter,” the message also notes.
Last off-season, Zhafyarov moved from St. Petersburg SKA to Ak Bars. He played in 16 matches for Kazan and scored 2 points (1 goal + 1 assist). At the end of November, Bilyaletdinov noted that the 29-year-old hockey player often does not make the team due to the fact that the coaching staff has a number of issues with him that they are trying to resolve.
Evseev is 19 years old, this season he played 19 matches for Ak Bars, scoring 3 points (1+2). On December 20, the hockey player was sent to the Almetyevsk club of the All-Russian Hockey League (VHL) «Neftyanik».