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PFC CSKA Moscow
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Professional Football Club CSKA (Russian: Профессиональный футбольный клуб – ЦСКА, derived from the historical name 'Центральный спортивный клуб армии', English: Central Sports Club of the Army), commonly referred to as CSKA Moscow or CSKA Moskva outside of Russia, or simply as CSKA (pronounced [tsɛ ɛs ˈka]), is a Russian professional football club. It is based in Moscow, playing its home matches at the 30,000-capacity VEB Arena. It plays in red and blue colours, with various plain and striped patterns having been used.
Founded in 1911, CSKA is one of the oldest football clubs in Russia and it had its most successful period after World War II with five titles in six seasons. It won a total of 7 Soviet Top League championships and 5 Soviet Cups, including the double in the last season in 1991. The club has also won 6 Russian Premier League titles as well as 8 Russian Cups.
CSKA Moscow became the first club in Russia to win one of the European cup competitions, the UEFA Cup, after defeating Sporting CP in the final in Lisbon in 2005.
CSKA was the official team of the Soviet Army during the communist era. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union it has become privately owned. In 2012, the Ministry of Defence sold all of its shares (24,94%) to Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd,[3][a] a conglomerate owning 100% of the club since then. On 13 December 2019, state-owned development corporation VEB.RF announced they will take control of over 75% of club shares that were used as collateral by previous owners for the VEB Arena financing.[11] Russian businessman Roman Abramovich's Sibneft corporation was a leading sponsor of the club from 2004 to 2006.
History
[edit]Names
[edit]CSKA Moscow was founded in 1911 and, like many clubs in the former Soviet Union, has seen a number of name changes. From 1928 to 1950 the association was called CDKA Moscow (ЦДКА Москва). In 1951 its name was changed to CDSA Moscow (ЦДСА Москва). In 1957 the sports society was renamed again into CSK MO Moscow (ЦСК МО Москва). The current name of club's football department, PFC CSKA Moscow (ПФК ЦСКА Москва) has been used since 1994.[citation needed]
- 1911–22: Amateur Society of Skiing Sports (OLLS Moscow) (Russian: Общество Любителей Лыжного Спорта)
- 1923: Experimental & Demonstrational Playground of Military Education Association (OPPV) (Russian: Опытно-Показательная Площадка Всеобуча)
- 1924–27: Experimental & Demonstrational Playground of Military Administration (OPPV) (Russian: Опытно-Показательная Площадка Военведа)
- 1928–50: Sports Club of Central House of the Red Army (CDKA) (Russian: Спортивный Клуб Центрального Дома Красной Армии)
- 1951–56: Sports Club of Central House of the Soviet Army (CDSA) (Russian: Спортивный Клуб Центрального Дома Советской Армии)
- 1957–59: Central Sports Club of the Ministry of Defense (CSK MO) (Russian: Центральный Спортивный Клуб Министерства Обороны)
- 1960–: Central Sports Club of Army (CSKA) (Russian: Центральный Спортивный Клуб Армии)
Foundation and first successes
[edit]The history of CSKA football club began in 1911, when a football section was organized in the Amateur Society of Skiing Sports (OLLS).

After the 1917 season, part of the reserve OLLS team moved to the first. In 1921, the champion of the autumn Moscow championship (winner of Fulda Cup) was determined in the final match, in which teams OLLS and KFS took part. The KFS team won 6:0. In the 1922 season, OLLS players won the spring Moscow championship and took second place in the fall championship.[12] In the same year, OLLS won KFS-Kolomyagi Cup, in the final of which, according to the regulations, the winners of the first and second leagues of the Moscow championship met, and Tosmen Cup, where the champions of Moscow and Petrograd met.[12]
Soviet period
[edit]Until 1970: Peaks and troughs
[edit]The club had its most successful period immediately after the end of the Second World War. At this time, one of the best players in its history and the best scorer in the history of the team, Grigory Fedotov, played for the club. The army men were runners-up in the first edition of the resumed Vysschaya Liga in 1945.

Three consecutive championship titles followed for the first time in league history, including club's first double in 1948. This year the army team won their second USSR Cup. In the semifinals, as a result of a replay, CDKA snatched victory from Dynamo Moscow, and in the final they defeated the current cup holders, Spartak. By that time the main army team became dubbed as the "Team of Lieutenants" (Russian: «Команда Лейтенантов»). After finishing second in 1949, in 1950, the army team became champions again, and in 1951, playing under the new name CDSA (Central House of the Soviet Army), they won a double again, winning both the championship and the cup. The history of the football department from this time is closely linked to the ice hockey department of the club, HC CSKA Moscow, because the leading players like Vsevolod Bobrov played both sports in parallel.

After successful times Olympic Games 1952 in Helsinki marked the beginning of the decline of CDSA Moscow. The club's players formed the core of the national team, which, after tough negotiations, joined FIFA shortly before the Olympic football tournament. Boris Arkadiev became the coach of both the national team and the army club. The first meeting between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in football is still amongst the most famous matches. On the political level, the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and the Yugoslav leader Josip Tito split in 1948, which resulted in Yugoslavia being excluded from the Communist Information Bureau. Before the match, both Tito and Stalin sent telegrams to their national teams, which showed just how important it was for the two head of states. Yugoslavia led 5–1, but a Soviet comeback in the last 15 minutes resulted in a 5–5 draw. The match was replayed, Yugoslavia winning 3–1. The defeat to the archrivals hit Soviet football hard, especially CDSA and its players. After just three games played in the season, CDSA was forced to withdraw from the league and later disbanded. Furthermore, Boris Arkadiev was stripped of his Merited Master of Sports of the USSR title.[13] For intelligence chief Lavrentiy Beria, the Olympic elimination was the perfect opportunity to eliminate the successful city rival. As head of the KGB, he was also honorary president of Dynamo Moscow - the main rival of CDSA.[citation needed]

After two seasons of oblivion and after Stalin's death in the spring of 1953 CDSA Moscow was re-established in 1954 on the initiative of then Soviet Defense Minister Nikolai Bulganin. Shortly thereafter, the team won the Soviet Cup in 1955, defeating Dynamo Moscow in the final with the legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin being sent off. The fans had to wait 15 years for the next trophy. In 1970 season, CSKA became Soviet champions for the sixth time, gaining the same number of points with Dynamo. The first gold match held on December 5, 1970 in Tashkent, Uzbek SSR ended without goals. The next day CSKA won the second match against Dynamo 4:3 after 1:3 deficit. By winning the championship, CSKA qualified for the first round of the European Cup. CSKA defeated Turkish club Galatasaray in the first round, but lost to Belgian champion Standard Liège in the second round and was eliminated from the tournament.[citation needed]
1971 to 1991: Two decades drought
[edit]With only 19 points out of a possible 68 in the 1984 season, the club had to endure the first ever relegation to the second division, where CSKA spent two seasons. After returning to the Higher league, the club did not manage to stay in it for a long time, and in the 1987 season, a second relegation followed. Nevertheless CSKA was able to fight its way back after two seasons in the First League, immediately secured the runner-up and even won the last edition of the football championship of the Soviet Union in the 1991 season. Having also won the Soviet cup, the club thus secured the last golden double in the history of the USSR football. With the championship title from the 1991 season, CSKA Moscow qualified for the first round of the 1992–93 UEFA Champions League, where they defeated the Icelandic team Víkingur Reykjavík. In the second round the Spanish top club Barcelona with coach Johan Cruyff was defeated. The opponents in Group A were the current Champions League winners Olympique Marseille, Glasgow Rangers and Club Brugge. CSKA was unable to build on the results of the matches with Barcelona, becoming the fourth in the group with two draws and four defeats, and was eliminated from the tournament.[citation needed]
Modern period
[edit]1992 to 2004: Back to the top
[edit]CSKA Moscow was one of the founding members of the newly formed Russian Top Division after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the first six seasons, the team occupied the places in the middle of the table. In the 1998 season, the club was runner-up and in the next season finished third. In the following two seasons, CSKA Moscow again occupied places in the middle of the table. In the 2002 season, the team trained by Valery Gazzaev took second place again, winning the Russian Cup. In 2003, the team won its first championship in the history of the Russian Premier League. After that, the head coach Valery Gassayev was sacked surprisingly and the Portuguese coach Artur Jorge was signed as his successor. Under the new coach, the team could not build on the performances from the previous season. After falling to fifth place in July 2004, Arthur Jorge was sacked after only eight months at the helm of the club. After the return of Valery Gassaev, CSKA was able to save the season and become vice-champion.[citation needed]
2005 to 2010: Golden years
[edit]In the 2004 season, after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, the team finished third at the group stage and therefore took part in the UEFA Cup play-off. The UEFA Cup for CSKA began with a home match against Portugal's Benfica in the round of 32, which ended in a 2-0 victory for CSKA, in the away match CSKA drew 1-1. The next rival of CSKA was the Serbian club Partizan, the away match in Belgrade ended with a score of 1-1, and the home match in Krasnodar - 2-0 in favor of the red-blue team. In the next round, the army team defeated the French side Auxerre 4-0. Despite the 2-0 away defeat, CSKA was able to continue playing in the UEFA Cup. In the semifinals, CSKA's opponent was the Italian side Parma, after beating which (0-0, 3-0), the Muscovites reached the final.

Then, on May 18, 2005, the team became the first Russian team ever to win a European competition, the 2004-05 UEFA Cup at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, winning Sporting 3-1. The team failed to consolidate their success, losing the UEFA Super Cup to English club Liverpool on 26 August 2005 at Stade Louis II, in Monaco. Nevertheless, this year, CSKA become the first Russian club to complete a treble after winning the second Russian championship title and the Russian Cup.[citation needed]
The team had qualified for the third qualifying round of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League by winning the championship in 2005 and progressed to the group stage over MFK Ružomberok. At the group stage, CSKA finished in third place and qualified for the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup, but was eliminated there against the Israeli representative Maccabi Haifa. In the 2006 season, CSKA won domestic treble, as the team won all three national titles: the Premier League, the Russian Cup and the Russian Super Cup.[citation needed]
As Russian champions, CSKA qualified for the 2007–08 UEFA Champions League. At the group stage, CSKA finished fourth and last with just one draw out of five defeats and was eliminated. In the Premier League, CSKA occupied the third place, but won the Russian Super Cup.

In the first half of the 2008 season, CSKA played below expectations and even finished in seventh place at the break of the season. After the European Championship, Valery Gazzaev, who announced his retirement at the end of the season, switched the game tactics to four defenders and let the young Alan Dzagoev, who was considered one of the greatest talents in Russian football, show himself. As a result, CSKA ended its negative series and from then on showed effective football. But it was no longer enough to win the championship, and CSKA took the runner-up behind Rubin Kazan. In the 2008-09 UEFA Cup, CSKA was the only team to achieve twelve points from four group matches. Then the team advanced to the round of 16, where they were defeated by the eventual UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine after a 1-0 home win and subsequent 0-2 away defeat. The team also won the Russian Cup for the fourth time.[14]

In January 2009, the Brazilian Zico took over the position of head coach at CSKA. After the half of the 2009 season, the club was only fourth. At the end of the 2009 season, fifth place was just enough for participation in the 2010-11 UEFA Europa League. As a result, the Brazilian head coach was dismissed in September 2009. In the same month, the Spaniard Juande Ramos was signed as his successor, but only lasted 47 days before being released on October 26 and replaced by Leonid Slutsky. The club won the Russian Supercup for the fourth time and became the Russian Cup winner for the fifth time. The team had also qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time after defeating Sevilla FC 3–2 on aggregate. They were later eliminated from competition by the eventual winners Inter Milan, losing by 1–0 scorelines in both Milan and Moscow.[citation needed]
Slutsky era
[edit]Leonid Slutsky was introduced as the new head coach in October 2009. In the 2010 Russian Premier League season, the team was runner-up. In the Russian Cup, the team was eliminated in the round of 32 against the second division Ural Ekaterinburg. In the Europa League, CSKA made it to the round of 16, where the team lost to the eventual winners Porto after two defeats (0-1 and 1-2).[citation needed]

Finishing as the runners-up in the previous season, the club qualified for the group stage of the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League. The opponents in Group B were Inter Milan, Trabzonspor and Lille. On 7 December 2011, CSKA qualified for the knockout phase after winning crucial 3 points by defeating Inter Milan with scoreline 1–2 in Milan and finishing as the runners-up in the group behind the Milanese. In the round of 16 the team met Spanish top club Real Madrid, to which CSKA lost 2-5 on aggregate. In the 2011–12 Russian championship, CSKA could only reach third place despite finishing second after the first phase of the season. By the 100th anniversary of the club, CSKA could not leave its fans without a trophy and won its sixth Russian Cup, beating Alania Vladikavkaz in the final 2-1 on May 22, 2011.[citation needed]
In the 2012–13 season, CSKA took part in the play-off round of the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, where they were eliminated against Swedish side AIK after 1-0 in Moscow and 0-2 in Stockholm. At the end of the season, however, CSKA were crowned the champions of Russia. It was the eleventh championship title in club history. The team won the Russian Cup and thus achieving a double.[citation needed]
As Russian champions CSKA took part in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League. The club was eliminated from the competition after the group stage against Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Viktoria Plzeň with only one win and five defeats resulting in the fourth place. In the domestic League, however, the club celebrated the second championship title in a row after Zoran Tošić scored the decisive goal against Lokomotiv Moscow on the last Matchday of the season for the tenth victory in the league in a row.

In the 2015–16 season, CSKA advanced to the Champions League group stage over Sparta Prague and Sporting. With PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United and Wolfsburg, CSKA completed Group B of the competition, but wasn't able to advance to the round of 16. In the Premier League, the club started with six consecutive wins, with the first four games being won without conceding a single goal. At the end of the season, the army club finished two points ahead of the second-placed Rostov and won its sixth Russian title (and 13th overall). [citation needed]
As a result, CSKA took part in the group stage of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League. Opponents in Group E were Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur. On 6 October 2016, during the group stage, Finland announced that Roman Eremenko had been handed a 30-day ban from football by UEFA,[15] with UEFA announcing on 18 November 2016, that Eremenko had been handed a two-year ban from football due to testing positive for cocaine.[16] Following the ban of one of the team leaders CSKA couldn't win a single game and was therefore eliminated from the tournament. After the last group game against Tottenham and after a negative run in the league, longtime head coach Leonid Slutsky left the club at his own request.[17]
On 12 December, Viktor Goncharenko was announced as the club's new manager, signing a two-year contract.[18]
Under Goncharenko
[edit]As CSKA finished second in the 2016–17 Premier League, they started their way in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League from the third qualifying round, defeating AEK Athens there and then Young Boys in the play-off round. In Group A, the army club met Benfica, Manchester United and Basel and finished in third place. As a result, CSKA continued to play in the Europa League and advanced to the quarter-finals, losing to Arsenal.

On 21 July 2018, Goncharenko extended his contract until the end of the 2019/20 season.[19] During the summer of 2018 CSKA lost many of its leaders: Aleksei and Vasili Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich finished their careers as professional players; Alexandr Golovin was bought by AS Monaco; Pontus Wernbloom became a PAOK player and Bibras Natcho went to Olympiacos. However, at the start of that season CSKA showed good results, being at the top-three in Russian champions table and beating Real Madrid in Champions League group stage in both home and away matches (1–0 in Moscow and 3–0 in Madrid).[citation needed]
On 13 December 2019, state-owned development corporation VEB.RF announced they will take control of over 75% of club shares that were used as collateral by previous owners for the VEB Arena financing.[11]
On 22 March 2021, Viktor Goncharenko left his role as head coach of CSKA Moscow by mutual consent.[20]
Under Olić, Berezutski and Fedotov
[edit]On 23 March 2021, CSKA appointed their former striker Ivica Olić as their new head coach.[21] After just nine games, culminating in a 6th place finish in the 2020–21 Russian Premier League, missing the European competitions for the first time in 20 years, Olić left CSKA by mutual consent on 15 June 2021 with Aleksei Berezutski being placed in temporary charge.[22] On 19 July 2021, Berezutski was confirmed as CSKA's new permanent head coach.[23]
In February 2022, CSKA were hit by sanctions from the United States Department of the Treasury as a consequence of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. CSKA is owned by Russian state-controlled VEB.RF and was sanctioned as its asset.[24][25] In addition, the European Club Association suspended the team.[26] CSKA won season-best 6 consecutive league games (last two before the winter break and the first four after), Berezutski was selected league's coach of the month for March 2022[27] and the club moved up to the 3rd position in the standings within 6 points of league-leading Zenit Saint Petersburg.[28] However, CSKA won only twice in the remaining 8 games of the league season and finished in 5th place. On 15 June 2022, Berezutski left his role as head coach after his contract was terminated by mutual agreement, with Vladimir Fedotov being appointed as the clubs new head coach the same day.[29][30] Fedotov led CSKA to the 2nd place in the 2022–23 Russian Premier League. CSKA also won the 2022–23 Russian Cup.[31]
Under Nikolić
[edit]Marko Nikolić was appointed CSKA manager before the 2024–25 season.[32] In the first season under Nikolić, CSKA finished third in the Russian Premier League and won the 2024–25 Russian Cup.[33]
Stadium
[edit]
CSKA had its own stadium called "Light-Athletic Football Complex CSKA" and abbreviated as LFK CSKA. Its capacity is very small for a club of its stature; no more than 4,600 spectators.[citation needed]
Between 1961 and 2000, CSKA played their home games at the Grigory Fedotov Stadium. In 2007, the Grigory Fedotov Stadium was demolished in 2007, and ground was broken on the club's new stadium Arena CSKA later the same year. During construction of their new stadium, CSKA played the majority of their games at the Arena Khimki and Luzhniki Stadium. After several delays in its construction, Arena CSKA was official opened on 10 September 2016.[34]
On 28 February 2017, CSKA Moscow announced that they had sold the naming rights to the stadium to VEB.RF, with the stadium becoming the VEB Arena.[35]
In 2018, CSKA decided to play its home UEFA Champions League matches at Luzhniki Stadium, instead of VEB Arena.[citation needed]
Honours
[edit]Domestic
[edit]- Soviet Top League / Russian Premier League (First-tier)
- Soviet First League / Russian National Football League (Second-tier)
- Soviet Cup / Russian Cup
- Soviet Super Cup / Russian Super Cup
- All-Union CPCS Tournament / USSR Federation Cup / Russian Premier League Cup
- Winners: 1952
European
[edit]- UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League
- Winners: 2004–05
- UEFA Super Cup
- Runners-up: 2005
Non-official
[edit]- Copa del Sol: 1
- La Manga Cup: 1
League and Cup history
[edit]Soviet Union
[edit]| Season | League | Soviet Cup | Europe | Other | Top scorer | Head coach | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pos | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Competition | Result | Competition | Result | Name | Goals | |||
| 1936(s) | 1st | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 18 | 11 | - | - | Evgeny Shelagin | 3 | ||||
| 1936(a) | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 20 | 11 | R32 | Ivan Mitronov Nikolai Isaev |
2 | ||||||
| 1937 | 9 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 18 | 43 | 23 | SF | Mikhail Kireev | 5 | ||||||
| 1938 | 2 | 25 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 52 | 24 | 37 | R64 | 20 | |||||||
| 1939 | 3 | 26 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 68 | 43 | 32 | QF | 21 | |||||||
| 1940 | 4 | 24 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 46 | 35 | 29 | - | 21 | |||||||
| 1941 | - | ||||||||||||||||
| 1942 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1943 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1944 | - | Runner-Up | - | ||||||||||||||
| 1945 | 1st | 2 | 22 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 69 | 23 | 39 | Winner | - | - | 24 | ||||
| 1946 | 1 | 22 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 55 | 13 | 37 | QF | 16 | |||||||
| 1947 | 24 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 61 | 16 | 40 | SF | 14 | ||||||||
| 1948 | 26 | 19 | 3 | 4 | 82 | 30 | 41 | Winner | 23 | ||||||||
| 1949 | 2 | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 86 | 30 | 51 | SF | 18 | |||||||
| 1950 | 1 | 36 | 20 | 13 | 3 | 91 | 31 | 53 | Boris Koverznev | 21 | |||||||
| 1951 | 28 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 43 | Winner | 10 | ||||||||
| 1952 | - | LC | Winner | - | |||||||||||||
| 1953 | - | ||||||||||||||||
| 1954 | 1st | 6 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 29 | 24 | QF | - | - | Viktor Fyodorov | 6 | |||
| 1955 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 35 | 20 | 31 | Winner | Valentin Yemyshev Yuri Belyaev |
8 | ||||||
| 1956 | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 32 | 25 | - | Yuri Belyaev | 15 | |||||||
| 1957 | 5 | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 51 | 31 | 27 | SF | 16 | |||||||
| 1958 | 3 | 22 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 40 | 25 | 27 | R16 | 10 | |||||||
| 1959 | 9 | 22 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 27 | 19 | - | 9 | |||||||
| 1960 | 6 | 30 | 15 | 2 | 13 | 45 | 35 | 32 | R16 | Vladimir Streshniy | 12 | ||||||
| 1961 | 4 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 61 | 43 | 38 | R64 | 18 | |||||||
| 1962 | 32 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 39 | 22 | 40 | R32 | 6 | ||||||||
| 1963 | 7 | 38 | 14 | 17 | 7 | 39 | 27 | 45 | 8 | ||||||||
| 1964 | 3 | 32 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 49 | 23 | 43 | QF | 16 | |||||||
| 1965 | 32 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 38 | 24 | 38 | R16 | Boris Kazakov | 15 | |||||||
| 1966 | 5 | 36 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 60 | 45 | 41 | R32 | 15 | |||||||
| 1967 | 9 | 36 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 35 | 35 | 36 | Runner-Up | Taras Shulyatitsky | 6 | ||||||
| 1968 | 4 | 38 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 50 | 30 | 50 | R16 | 10 | |||||||
| 1969 | 6 | 32 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 25 | 18 | 37 | SF | Berador Abduraimov | 7 | ||||||
| 1970 | 1 | 32 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 46 | 17 | 45 | R16 | 15 | |||||||
| 1971 | 12 | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 34 | 36 | 26 | EC | R2 | 8 | ||||||
| 1972 | 5 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 37 | 33 | 34 | SF | - | Vladimir Dorofeev Wilhelm Tellinger |
6 | |||||
| 1973 | 10 | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 33 | 36 | 25 | QF | Vladimir Dorofeev | 9 | ||||||
| 1974 | 13 | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 33 | 26 | R16 | Yuri Smirnov |
5 | ||||||
| 1975 | 30 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 29 | 36 | 25 | SF | 13 | ||||||||
| 1976(s) | 7 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 16 | 15 | - | 6 | |||||||
| 1976(a) | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 16 | 15 | QF | 8 | ||||||||
| 1977 | 14 | 30 | 5 | 17 | 8 | 28 | 39 | 27 | R16 | 12 | |||||||
| 1978 | 6 | 30 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 36 | 40 | 32 | Aleksei Belenkov | 8 | |||||||
| 1979 | 8 | 34 | 12 | 8 | 14 | 46 | 46 | 32 | SF | 16 | |||||||
| 1980 | 5 | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 36 | 32 | 36 | R16 | 14 | |||||||
| 1981 | 6 | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 39 | 33 | 37 | UC | R1 | 9 | ||||||
| 1982 | 15 | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 46 | 29 | Qualifying | - | 16 | ||||||
| 1983 | 12 | 34 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 37 | 33 | 32 | SF | Viktor Kolyadko | 13 | ||||||
| 1984 | 18 | 34 | 5 | 9 | 20 | 24 | 55 | 19 | QF | Gennady Shtromberger | 4 | ||||||
| 1985 | 2nd | 2 | 42 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 81 | 37 | 56 | 29 | |||||||
| 1986 | 1 | 47 | 27 | 9 | 11 | 65 | 35 | 63 | R32 | Sergei Berezin | 19 | ||||||
| 1987 | 1st | 15 | 30 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 26 | 35 | 24 | ||||||||
| 1988 | 2nd | 3 | 42 | 23 | 10 | 9 | 69 | 35 | 56 | R16 | 16 | ||||||
| 1989 | 1 | 42 | 27 | 10 | 5 | 113 | 28 | 64 | R128 | 32 | |||||||
| 1990 | 1st | 2 | 24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 43 | 26 | 31 | SF | 8 | ||||||
| 1991 | 1 | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 57 | 32 | 43 | Winner | CWC | R1 | 12 | |||||
| 1992 | - | Runner-Up | - | ||||||||||||||
Russia
[edit]| Season | League | Russian Cup | Europe | Other | Top scorer | Head coach | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Pos | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Competition | Result | Competition | Result | Name | Goals | |||
| 1992 | Top League | 5 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 46 | 29 | 33 | Runner-Up | CL | GS | - | 10 | |||
| 1993 | 9 | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 43 | 45 | 42 | Runner-Up | - | 8 | ||||||
| 1994 | 10 | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 30 | 32 | 26 | Round of 16 | CWC | 1R | 5 | |||||
| 1995 | 6 | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 56 | 34 | 53 | Quarter-finals | - | 10 | ||||||
| 1996 | 5 | 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 58 | 35 | 66 | Round of 16 | UC | 1R | 10 | |||||
| 1997 | 12 | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 31 | 42 | 42 | Quarter-finals | - | 9 | ||||||
| 1998 | 2 | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 50 | 22 | 56 | Semi-finals | 14 | |||||||
| 1999 | 3 | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 56 | 29 | 55 | Runner-Up | CL | 2QR | 14 | |||||
| 2000 | 8 | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 45 | 39 | 41 | Round of 16 | UC | 1R | 10 | |||||
| 2001 | 7 | 30 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 39 | 30 | 47 | Winner | - | 8 | ||||||
| 2002 | Premier League | 2 | 30 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 60 | 27 | 66 | Round of 32 | UC | 1R | 15 | ||||
| 2003 | 1 | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 56 | 32 | 59 | Quarter-finals | CL | 2QR | RSC | Runner-Up | 9 | |||
| 2004 | 2 | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 53 | 22 | 60 | Winner | CL | GS | RSC | Winner | 9 | |||
| 2005 | 1 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 48 | 20 | 62 | UC UC |
Winner GS |
USC | Runner-up | 10 | ||||
| 2006 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 47 | 28 | 58 | Round of 16 | CL | GS | RSC | Winner | 14 | ||||
| 2007 | 3 | 30 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 43 | 24 | 53 | Winner | UC CL |
R32 GS |
RSC | Winner | 13 | |||
| 2008 | 2 | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 53 | 24 | 56 | UC | R16 | - | 20 | |||||
| 2009 | 5 | 30 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 48 | 30 | 52 | Round of 32 | CL | QF | RSC | Winner | 9 | |||
| 2010 | 2 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 51 | 22 | 59 | Winner | EL | R16 | RSC | Runner-up | 9 | |||
| 2011–12 | 3 | 44 | 19 | 9 | 16 | 72 | 47 | 73 | Round of 32 | CL | RSC | 28 | |||||
| 2012–13 | 1 | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 49 | 25 | 64 | Winner | EL | PO | - | 11 | ||||
| 2013–14 | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 49 | 26 | 64 | Semi-finals | CL | GS | RSC | Winner | 18 | ||||
| 2014–15 | 2 | 30 | 19 | 3 | 8 | 67 | 27 | 60 | CL | RSC | 13 | ||||||
| 2015–16 | 1 | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 51 | 25 | 65 | Runner-Up | CL | - | 13 | |||||
| 2016–17 | 2 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 47 | 15 | 62 | Round of 32 | CL | RSC | Runner-up | 6 | ||||
| 2017–18 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 49 | 23 | 58 | Round of 32 | CL EL |
GS QF |
- | 10 | |||||
| 2018–19 | 4 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 46 | 23 | 51 | Round of 32 | CL | GS | RSC | Winner | 15 | ||||
| 2019–20 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 43 | 29 | 50 | Quarter-finals | EL | - | 12 | |||||||
| 2020–21 | 6 | 30 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 51 | 33 | 50 | Semi-finals | EL | 11 | ||||||
CSKA in European football
[edit]- As of match played 10 December 2020
By competition
[edit]| Competition | P | W | D | L | GS | GA | %W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup / UEFA Champions League | 104 | 34 | 24 | 46 | 125 | 155 | 32.69 |
| UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League | 69 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 97 | 67 | 44.93 |
| Cup Winners' Cup | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 50.00 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Total | 178 | 67 | 42 | 69 | 228 | 230 | 37.64 |
UEFA club coefficient ranking
[edit]- As of 21 September 2023. Source: UEFA Coefficients
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 183 | 7.000 | |
| 184 | 7.000 | |
| 185 | 7.000 | |
| 186 | 2.500 | |
| 187 | 2.000 |
Football Club Elo ranking
[edit]- As of 29 August 2024[36]
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | 1574 | |
| 129 | 1573 | |
| 130 | 1571 | |
| 131 | 1571 | |
| 132 | 1571 |
Players
[edit]Current squad
[edit]- As of 11 September 2025[37]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Out on loan
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Retired numbers
[edit]- 12 – Club supporters (the 12th man)
- 16 –
Serhiy Perkhun, goalkeeper (2001) – posthumous honor
Notable players
[edit]Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in bold represented their countries while playing for CSKA.
- USSR/Russia
Yuri Adzhem
Valentin Afonin
German Apukhtin
Vladimir Astapovsky
Anatoli Bashashkin
Yozhef Betsa
Vsevolod Bobrov
Valentin Bubukin
Vyacheslav Chanov
Yuri Chesnokov
Sergey Dmitriyev
Sergei Fokin
Yuri Istomin
Vladimir Kaplichny
Vagiz Khidiyatullin
Anatoly Krutikov
Nikolai Manoshin
Valentin Nikolayev
Valeri Novikov
Yuri Nyrkov
Mikhail Perevalov
Aleksandr Petrov
Viktor Ponedelnik
Igor Ponomaryov
Anatoli Porkhunov
Boris Razinsky
Viktor Samokhin
Albert Shesternyov
Valeri Shmarov
Andriy Sidelnikov
Aleksandr Tarkhanov
Viktor Yanushevsky
Georgi Yartsev
Mikhail Yeryomin
Viktor Zvyagintsev
Sergey Shustikov
Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov
Andrei Afanasyev
Ilzat Akhmetov
Igor Akinfeev
Yevgeni Aldonin
Aleksei Berezutski
Vasili Berezutski
Maksim Bokov
Yevgeni Bushmanov
Fyodor Chalov
Nikita Chernov
Vyacheslav Dayev
Igor Diveyev
Alan Dzagoev
Soslan Dzhanayev
Ilshat Fayzulin
Mário Fernandes
Sergei Filippenkov
Vladimir Gabulov
Dmitri Galiamin
Kirill Glebov
Aleksandr Golovin
Rolan Gusev
Sergei Ignashevich
Aleksei Ionov
Andrei Ivanov
Vyacheslav Karavayev
Valeri Karpin
Dmitri Kharine
Dmitri Khokhlov
Dmitri Kirichenko
Matvey Kislyak
Sergei Kolotovkin
Oleg Kornaukhov
Igor Korneev
Danil Krugovoy
Konstantin Kuchayev
Alan Kusov
Dmitri Kuznetsov
Matvey Lukin
Pavel Mamayev
Veniamin Mandrykin
Valeri Minko
Andrei Mokh
Maksim Mukhin
Tamerlan Musayev
Kirill Nababkin
Ruslan Nigmatullin
Andrei Novosadov
Ivan Oblyakov
Kirill Panchenko
Ilya Pomazun
Denis Popov
Andrey Pyatnitsky
Vladislav Radimov
Sergei Semak
Igor Semshov
Dmitri Sennikov
Oleg Sergeyev
Georgi Shchennikov
Roman Shirokov
Andrei Solomatin
Vladimir Tatarchuk
Yevgeni Varlamov
Viktor Vasin
Oleg Veretennikov
Renat Yanbayev
Igor Yanovsky
Dmitri Yefremov
Denis Yevsikov
Anton Zabolotny
Rifat Zhemaletdinov
Yuri Zhirkov
- Europe
Andrey Movsisyan
Tigran Petrosyants
Nair Tiknizyan
Deni Gaisumov
Vagif Javadov
Dmitriy Kramarenko
Yury Antanovich
Vyacheslav Geraschenko
Artyom Shumansky
Vadim Skripchenko
Miralem Pjanić
Elvir Rahimić
Georgi Milanov
Ivica Olić
Nikola Vlašić
Jiří Jarošík
Tomáš Necid
Roman Eremenko
Hörður Magnússon
Arnór Sigurðsson
Bibras Natcho
Baktiyar Zaynutdinov
Aleksandrs Cauņa
Juris Laizāns
Valdas Ivanauskas
Edgaras Jankauskas
Deividas Šemberas
Oleg Șișchin
Dawid Janczyk
Milan Gajić
Miloš Krasić
Zoran Tošić
Saša Zdjelar
Marek Hollý
Jaka Bijol
Rasmus Elm
Pontus Wernbloom
Caner Erkin
Yusuf Yazıcı
Serhiy Perkhun
Bohdan Shershun
Dmytro Tyapushkin
- South America
- Africa
- Asia
Club officials
[edit]| Administration[38] | Coaching staff (senior team)[39] | Coaching staff (U-21 team)[40] | Medical staff[41] | Administrative staff[42] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Evgeny Trofimov |
|
Coaching history
[edit]- As of match played 24 July 2022
| Nationality | Name | From | To | Duration | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavel Khalkiopov | 1936 | 1936 | |||||||
| Mikhail Rushchinsky | 1937 | 1939 | |||||||
| Sergey Bukhteyev | 1940 | 1941 | |||||||
| Pyotr Yezhov | 1941 | ||||||||
| Yevgeni Nikishin | 1942 | 1944 | |||||||
| Boris Arkadyev | 1944 | 1952 | |||||||
| Konstantin Lyaskovskiy | 1954 | 1954 | |||||||
| Grigori Pinaichev | 1954 | 1957 | |||||||
| Boris Arkadyev | 1958 | 1959 | |||||||
| Grigori Pinaichev | 1959 | 1960 | |||||||
| Konstantin Beskov | 1961 | 1962 | |||||||
| Vyacheslav Solovyov | 1963 | 1964 | |||||||
| Valentin Nikolayev | 1964 | 1965 | |||||||
| Sergei Shaposhnikov | 1966 | 1967 | |||||||
| Vsevolod Bobrov | 1967 | 1969 | |||||||
| Valentin Nikolayev | 1970 | 1973 | |||||||
| Vladimir Agapov | 1973 | 1974 | |||||||
| Anatoly Tarasov | 1975 | 1975 | |||||||
| Aleksei Mamykin | 1976 | 1977 | |||||||
| Vsevolod Bobrov | 1977 | 1978 | |||||||
| Sergei Shaposhnikov | 1979 | 1979 | |||||||
| Oleh Bazylevych | 1980 | 1982 | |||||||
| Albert Shesternyov | 1982 | 1983 | |||||||
| Sergei Shaposhnikov | 1983 | 1983 | |||||||
| Yury Morozov | 1984 | 1987 | |||||||
| Sergei Shaposhnikov | 1987 | 1988 | |||||||
| Pavel Sadyrin | 1989 | 1992 | |||||||
| Gennadi Kostylev | 1992 | 1993 | |||||||
| Boris Kopeykin | 1993 | 1994 | |||||||
| Aleksandr Tarkhanov | 5 July 1994 | 23 January 1997 | 2 years, 202 days | 91 | 47 | 18 | 26 | 51.65 | |
| Pavel Sadyrin | 23 January 1997 | 2 July 1998 | 1 year, 160 days | 54 | 16 | 16 | 22 | 29.63 | |
| Oleg Dolmatov | 2 July 1998 | 29 May 2000 | 1 year, 332 days | 65 | 39 | 12 | 15 | 60 | |
| Pavel Sadyrin | 1 July 2000 | 2 October 2001 | 1 year, 93 days | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 50 | |
| Valery Gazzaev | 2 October 2001 | 24 November 2003 | 2 years, 53 days | 80 | 48 | 14 | 18 | 60 | |
| Artur Jorge | 24 November 2003 | 12 July 2004 | 231 days | 20 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 45 | |
| Valery Gazzaev | 12 July 2004 | 22 November 2008 | 4 years, 133 days | 213 | 119 | 52 | 42 | 55.87 | |
| Zico | 9 January 2009 | 10 September 2009 | 244 days | 28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 50 | |
| Juande Ramos | 10 September 2009 | 26 October 2009 | 46 days | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 44.44 | |
| Leonid Slutsky | 26 October 2009 | 7 December 2016[17] | 7 years, 42 days | 287 | 160 | 57 | 70 | 55.75 | |
| Viktor Goncharenko | 12 December 2016[18] | 22 March 2021[20] | 4 years, 100 days | 183 | 92 | 40 | 51 | 50.27 | |
| Ivica Olić | 23 March 2021[21] | 15 June 2021[22] | 84 days | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 44.44 | |
| Aleksei Berezutski | 15 June 2021[22][23] | 15 June 2022[29] | 1 year, 0 days | 34 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 52.94 | |
| Vladimir Fedotov | 15 June 2022[30] | Present | 3 years, 139 days | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | |
Ownerships, kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
[edit]| Period | Kit manufacturers | Shirt sponsor | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1990 | Adidas | None | Soviet MOD and then Russian MOD through CSKA Moscow society |
| 1991–1994 | Umbro | ||
| 1995–1996 | Nike | ||
| 1997–1999 | Adidas | ||
| 2000–2003 | Umbro | Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd. (Yevgeni Giner) | |
| 2004 | Konti | ||
| 2004–2005 | Sibneft | ||
| 2006–2008 | VTB Bank | ||
| 2009 | Reebok | Aeroflot | |
| 2010–2012 | Bashneft | ||
| 2012–2013 | Adidas | Aeroflot | |
| 2013–2018 | Rosseti | ||
| 2018–2020 | Umbro | ||
| 2020–2023 | Joma | ICS Holding | VEB.RF |
| 2023–2025 | Gold'n Apotheka | ||
| 2025–present | Primera |
Supporters and rivalries
[edit]CSKA Moscow fans maintain good relations with the fans of Serbian Partizan, Greek PAOK FC, Bulgarian CSKA Sofia, Polish Widzew Łódź and Ruch Chorzów, Romanian CSA Steaua București, and fellow Russian fans of Dynamo Moscow.[43][44] The Club's main rival is Spartak Moscow.[45]
Nickname
[edit]CSKA was nicknamed Horses because the first stadium was built on the old racecourse/hippodromo in Moscow.[46] It was considered offensive, but later it was transformed into The Horses, and currently this nickname is used by players and fans as the name, along with other variants such as Army Men (Russian: армейцы) and Red-Blues (Russian: красно-синие).
Famous fans
[edit]- Alexander Babakov[47]
- Matvey Blanter[48]
- Aleksey Buldakov[49]
- Igor Butman[50]
- Semyon Farada[51]
- Oleg Gazmanov[52]
- Andrei Grechko[53]
- Sergei Ivanov[54]
- Konstantin Kinchev[55]
- Leonid Kuravlyov[56]
- Otar Kushanashvili[57]
- Denis Lebedev[58]
- Yegor Letov[59]
- Oleg Menshikov[60]
- Aleksey Merinov[61]
- Maya Plisetskaya[62]
- Aleksandr Porokhovshchikov[63]
- Natalya Seleznyova[64]
- Maksim Shevchenko[65]
- Mikhail Tanich[66]
- Natalya Varley[67]
- Vladimir Vysotsky[68]
- Sergei Yastrzhembsky[69]
- Mikhail Youzhny[70]
- Vladimir Zeldin
Club records
[edit]Appearances
[edit]
- As of 1st June 2025
| Name | Years | League | Cup | Europe | Other1 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2003–present | 596 (0) | 55 (0) | 132 (0) | 14 (0) | 797 (0)[71] | |
| 2 | 2004–2018 | 381 (35) | 39 (6) | 111 (5) | 9 (0) | 540 (46)[72] | |
| 3 | 2002–2018 | 376 (9) | 40 (0) | 105 (4) | 10 (0) | 531 (13)[73] | |
| 4 | 2001–2018 | 341 (8) | 46 (0) | 106 (3) | 9 (0) | 502 (11)[74] | |
| 5 | 1960–1975 | 382 (92) | 42 (8) | 3 (0) | 0 (0) | 427 (100) | |
| 6 | 2008–2022 | 282 (55) | 32 (5) | 78 (17) | 5 (0) | 397 (77)[75] | |
| 7 | 1962–1974 | 341 (75) | 38 (8) | 4 (0) | 0 (0) | 383 (83) | |
| 9 | 2008–2023 | 257 (6) | 23 (1) | 74 (3) | 7 (0) | 367 (10)[76] | |
| 8 | 2002–2012 | 254 (1) | 37 (0) | 70 (0) | 6 (1) | 367 (2)[77] | |
| 10 | 2001–2014 | 240 (6) | 36 (0) | 64 (0) | 7 (0) | 347 (6)[78] | |
| 11 | 1958–1970 | 313 (1) | 18 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 331 (1)[79] | |
| 12 | 1981–1991 | 299 (3) | 29 (3) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 330 (6)[80] | |
| 13 | 1994–2004 | 282 (68) | 25 (9) | 21 (6) | 1 (0) | 329 (84)[81] | |
| 14 | 2012–2022 | 259 (9) | 19 (2) | 48 (0) | 3 (0) | 329 (11) | |
| 15 | 1966–1975 | 288 (5) | 35 (1) | 4 (0) | 0 (0) | 327 (6) | |
| 16 | 2009–2024 | 237 (4) | 39 (0) | 43 (1) | 5 (0) | 324 (5) | |
| 17 | 1984–1991, 1992, 1997–1998 | 292 (49) | 29 (5) | 2 (0) | 0 (0) | 323 (54)[82] | |
| 18 | 2004–2013 | 213 (6) | 31 (5) | 66 (2) | 5 (0) | 315 (13)[83] | |
| 19 | 1959–1972 | 278 (1) | 23 (0) | 4 (0) | 0 (0) | 305 (1) | |
| 20 | 1939–1952 | 246 (82) | 34 (18) | 0 (0) | 13 (4) | 293 (104)[84] |
1Includes Russian Super Cup, Russian Premier League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Top goalscorers
[edit]- As of 8 December 2024

| Name | Years | League | Cup | Europe | Other1 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1938–1949 | 128 (160) | 10 (18) | 0 (0) | 18 (23) | 161 (196)[85] | |
| 2 | 2004–2011, 2013 | 85 (169) | 8 (27) | 30 (57) | 1 (6) | 124 (259)[86] | |
| 3 | 1940–1952 | 81 (201) | 23 (36) | 0 (0) | 14 (16) | 118 (253)[87] | |
| 4 | 1939-1952 | 82 (246) | 18 (34) | 4 (13) | 104 (293) | ||
| 5 | 1945–1949 | 84 (79) | 18 (20) | 0 (0) | 102 (99)[88] | ||
| 6 | 1960–1975 | 92 (382) | 8 (42) | 100 (427)[89] | |||
| 7 | 1941-1952, 1954 | 80 (195) | 15 (35) | 3 (8) | 98 (238)[90] | ||
| 8 | 2010–2014, 2015 | 66 (108) | 5 (11) | 23 (30) | 1 (1) | 95 (150)[91] | |
| 9 | 1969-1977 | 71 (223) | 21 (37) | 2 (4) | 0 (0) | 94 (264) | |
| 10 | 2016–2024 | 76 (197) | 9 (32) | 4 (30) | 0 (2) | 89 (261) | |
| 11 | 1975–1983 | 72 (252) | 14 (35) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) | 87 (289) | |
| 12 | 1994–2004 | 68 (282) | 9 (25) | 6 (21) | 0 (1) | 84 (329)[81] | |
| 13 | 1962-1974 | 75 (341) | 8 (38) | 0 (4) | 0 (0) | 83 (383) | |
| 14 | 1987–1989, 1990–1992, 1993 | 73 (134) | 5 (20) | 0 (2) | 78 (156) | ||
| 15 | 2008–2022 | 55 (282) | 5 (32) | 17 (78) | 0 (5) | 77 (397)[75] | |
| 16 | 1976–1984 | 61 (249) | 10 (33) | 1 (2) | 0 (0) | 72 (284) | |
| 17 | 1997–2001 | 49 (140) | 14 (18) | 0 (4) | - (-) | 63 (162)[92] | |
| 18 | 2012–2016, 2018 | 48 (135) | 6 (15) | 7 (32) | 0 (2) | 61 (184)[93] | |
| 19 | 1985–1991 | 48 (144) | 9 (20) | 0 (2) | 57 (166) | ||
| 20 | 1984–1991, 1992, 1997–1998 | 49 (292) | 5 (29) | 54 (323) | |||
1Includes Russian Super Cup, Russian Premier League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
CSKA Women
[edit]CSKA's women's football team was founded in 1990 and competed in Soviet Championship's second level. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union that same year, it registered in the Russian Supreme Division, where it competed for two seasons before it folded.
Following the disbanding of Zorky Krasnogorsk near the end of the 2015 Top Division, FK Rossiyanka filled its vacancy for the next season and the new team was registered as CSKA in the 2016 championship. Its first game, a 1–1 draw against Chertanovo, coincided with the 93rd anniversary of the CSKA's first football match.[94] CSKA ended the championship second-to-last, while Rossiyanka won its fifth title.
In July 2017, during the inter-season summer pause, it became a CSKA official section.[95] Two months later the team won its first title after defeating Chertanovo 1–0 in the Russian Cup final.
In recent years CSKA Women won two Russian championships in a row, in 2019 and 2020 and made their debut in UEFA Women's Champions League.
FC CSKA-d Moscow and FC CSKA-2 Moscow
[edit]The reserves team played on the professional level as FC CSKA-d Moscow (Russian Second League in 1992–93, Russian Third League in 1994–97, Russian Second Division in 1998–00, in 1998–00 team was called FC CSKA-2 Moscow). A separate farm club called FC CSKA-2 Moscow played in the Soviet Second League in 1986–89, Soviet Second League B in 1990–91, Russian Second League in 1992–93 and Russian Third League in 1994. That latter team was called FC Chaika-CSKA-2 Moscow for one season in 1989.
Notes
[edit]- ^ In 1991, MacAsyng Holding BV was registered at the same address as RijnHove Groep's Amsterdam offices which is a law firm established in 1989 with offices in the Netherlands, Belgium, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Curaçao, and Bonaire specializing in trust and fiduciary services, [accounting outsourcing|Accounting outsourcing], and tax consulting. MacAsyng Holding has Alexander Rene Garez as its director, who was born in 1968, lives in Paris, and shares the same telephone number as the Moscow law firm "Sieberg Shtabright Garez". Alexander Garez has represented the British firm Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd since 5 October 2000 and Parkhage BV since 14 November 2002.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
References
[edit]- ^ Jemberga, Sanita (2 May 2017). "Latvian financier said to act as a go-between to get Russian loan for Le Pen". Re:Baltica (rebaltica.lv). Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
Yevgeni Giner's son Vadim is the legal owner of CSKA.
- ^ Грузинова, Ирина; Васильев, Иван; Петрова, Ольга (31 July 2016). "На чем зарабатывает президент ЦСКА Евгений Гинер: "Новые Лужники", новые офисы, СП с госкомпаниями, но главный актив – хорошая репутация" [What makes the president of CSKA Evgeny Giner: "Novye Luzhniki", new offices, a joint venture with state-owned companies, but the main asset is a good reputation]. Vedomosti (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Акционеры ПФК ЦСКА выкупили у Министерства обороны четверть акций клуба за 353 тысячи долларов". cskainfo.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
- ^ "Frans M J van Rijn - Company Owner InnoGroup BV - UDG energy | LinkedIn". Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- ^ "Vistra takes over Monterey". jerseyeveningpost.com. 20 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ "History". Vistra. Archived from the original on 2021-07-21. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ "PROFILE RIJNHOVE GROEP BV". RijnHove Group website (rijnhove.nl). Archived from the original on 16 November 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "PROFIEL RIJNHOVE GROEP BV". RijnHove Group website (rijnhove.nl) (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 16 November 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ Вайсберг, Валерий (Weisberg, Valery); Ходорковский, Анатолий (Khodorkovsky, Anatoly) (17 March 2003). "Мамут тайно покупает ЦСКА: Олигархи, подымем армейский футбол!" [Mamut secretly buys CSKA: Oligarchs, let's raise army football!]. Русский фокус (russianfocus.ru) (in Russian). Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Alt URL Archived 2023-03-30 at the Wayback Machine - ^ "Мамутная связь: Как делать деньги на нефти без нефти". Archived from the original on 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ a b "Армейцы обрели государственность". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). Kommersant. 13 December 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Among strongest, p.4" (in Russian). Pfc-cska.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
- ^ Piskor, Tommy (December 20, 2015). "USSR – Yugoslavia, the Story of Two Different Football Conceptions". russianfootballnews.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Кубок России по футболу-2008 завоевал ЦСКА". vesti.ru. Archived from the original on 2021-11-14. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
- ^ "Roman Eremenko väliaikaiseen pelikieltoon". palloliitto.fi (in Finnish). Palloliitto. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ "Roman Eremenko: CSKA Moscow midfielder handed two-year ban for taking cocaine". bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ a b Леонид Слуцкий покидает ПФК ЦСКА. pfc-cska.com (in Russian). CSKA Moscow. 6 December 2016. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
- ^ a b Виктор Ганчаренко возглавил ПФК ЦСКА. pfc-cska.com (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ Виктор Ганчаренко подписал новый контракт с ПФК ЦСКА. pfc-cska.com (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ a b "Виктор Ганчаренко покинул пост главного тренера ПФК ЦСКА". pfc-cska.com/ (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 22 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Ивица Олич — главный тренер ПФК ЦСКА!". pfc-cska.com/ (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 23 March 2021. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ивица Олич покидает ПФК ЦСКА". pfc-cska.com/ (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Алексей Березуцкий утвержден главным тренером ПФК ЦСКА". pfc-cska.com/ (in Russian). PFC CSKA Moscow. 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Treasury Imposes Immediate Economic Costs in Response to Actions in the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions | U.S. Department of the Treasury". Home.treasury.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
- ^ "US economic sanctions hit Russian top flight side CSKA Moscow". en.as.com/. Diario AS. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "Which sports have banned Russian athletes?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
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Bibliography
[edit]- Marc Bennetts, 'Football Dynamo – Modern Russia and the People's Game,' Virgin Books, (March 2009), 0753513196
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Peski (in Russian)
PFC CSKA Moscow
View on GrokipediaPFC CSKA Moscow is a professional association football club based in Moscow, Russia, that competes in the Russian Premier League as the flagship team of the broader CSKA multi-sport society, which traces its origins to the Imperial Russian Army and later served as the official club of the Soviet Armed Forces.[1][2]
Founded in 1911 as the OLLS sports society, the club has amassed a record of dominance in domestic competitions, securing seven Soviet Top League titles and six Russian Premier League championships, alongside five Soviet Cups and nine Russian Cups.[3][1] Its most notable international achievement came in 2005, when it became the first Russian club to win a major European trophy by claiming the UEFA Cup after defeating Sporting CP in the final.[1][4]
The club's success stems from its military affiliation, which provided access to top talent during the Soviet era, enabling it to win 32 of 44 USSR national championships across various sports within the CSKA framework, though this system has drawn scrutiny for distorting competitive merit through state-directed player allocation.[5] As part of a sports conglomerate active in over 40 disciplines—including basketball, ice hockey, and volleyball—CSKA Moscow has produced 463 Olympic champions, underscoring its role in Russia's state-supported athletic apparatus.[2]
History
Origins and Foundation
The origins of PFC CSKA Moscow lie in the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, where a sports society focused on skiing was established by army officers in 1911. Known initially as OLLS (Общество любителей лыжного спорта, or Society of Skiing Enthusiasts), the group expanded to include football that same year, with the team's inaugural match occurring on August 27, 1911.[6][1] This military affiliation set the foundation for the club's enduring ties to the armed forces, distinguishing it from civilian sports organizations like those backed by trade unions or internal security forces. Following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the OLLS was restructured to align with Soviet military priorities, emphasizing physical training for Red Army personnel amid the Russian Civil War. By 1922–1923, it was incorporated into the Experimental and Demonstrational Playground of Physical Culture of the Red Army (OPPU RKKA), a precursor entity under the Moscow Council of Physical Culture. The football section's competitive debut came on April 29, 1923, in the Moscow city championship, where it competed as part of the army's sports apparatus rather than as an independent entity.[1][7] This early integration reflected the Soviet state's instrumental use of sports for ideological and military purposes, with CSKA's predecessor benefiting from institutional support but operating under direct army oversight. The club's evolution from an officers' recreational circle to a formalized Red Army sports collective laid the groundwork for its later dominance, though initial years were marked by amateur status and regional competition limited by wartime disruptions.[5][7]Soviet Era Dominance and State Control
During the Soviet period, CSKA Moscow, operating primarily as CDKA (Club of the Sports Society of the Central House of the Red Army) until the mid-1950s, emerged as one of the premier football clubs under the patronage of the Soviet military establishment. Founded in 1911 as a sports society for Imperial Russian Army personnel, it transitioned into a key component of the Red Army's sports apparatus following the 1917 Revolution, with football becoming a prominent discipline by the 1920s. This military affiliation granted the club unparalleled access to resources, including superior training facilities and funding from state organs, which facilitated its rise amid the centralized structure of Soviet sports, where clubs were tied to industrial or institutional ministries.[7] The club's dominance peaked in the immediate post-World War II years, securing five Soviet Top League titles between 1946 and 1951 under coach Boris Arkadyev, who implemented an innovative W-M formation emphasizing fluid positional play and pressing precursors. Key figures included forwards Vsevolod Bobrov, Grigory Fedotov, and midfielder Valentin Nikolayev, whose contributions propelled CDKA to three consecutive championships from 1946 to 1948. This era saw the entire starting lineup recognized among the USSR's elite 33 players, underscoring tactical sophistication alongside military backing. However, political interference manifested dramatically in 1952, when Stalin ordered the club's temporary disbandment following a 5-1 defeat to Yugoslavia in the 1952 Olympic football tournament, attributing national embarrassment to CDKA's performance; it reformed as CDSA in 1953 and CSKA in 1955 after Stalin's death.[7] State control profoundly shaped CSKA's competitive edge through mandatory military conscription, enabling the enlistment of top talents nationwide—often granting them officer ranks like lieutenant to incentivize service—which civilian rivals like Spartak Moscow lacked. This system, embedded in the Soviet Armed Forces sports society, concentrated athletic prowess in Moscow-based "powerhouse" clubs, with CSKA amassing a total of seven Top League titles (including predecessors CDKA and CDSA) and five Soviet Cups by 1991, though it trailed Spartak (12 titles) and Dynamo Moscow (11) in overall count. Such mechanisms prioritized propaganda and military prestige over pure meritocracy, fostering resentment from non-state clubs but ensuring consistent contention among the "big four" Moscow teams. CSKA's later successes, including titles in 1958 and 1970, sustained this pattern until the USSR's dissolution.[8][9]Post-Soviet Transition and Revival
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991, PFC CSKA Moscow transitioned from the Soviet Top League—where it had secured the final title—to the inaugural Russian Top League season in 1992. The club posted a competitive second-place finish with 51 points from 22 matches, trailing champions Spartak Moscow by six points and qualifying for the 1992–93 UEFA Champions League, though it exited in the first round against Galatasaray.[10][11] The early 1990s economic collapse in Russia, characterized by hyperinflation, subsidy cuts, and privatization chaos, strained club finances across the board, including CSKA, which relied on dwindling military patronage after losing centralized Soviet state support. Despite this, CSKA avoided outright bankruptcy—unlike some peers—thanks to its ties to the Russian Armed Forces, but performance waned as key players departed and infrastructure lagged. In 1993, the team ended 10th with 36 points from 34 matches; by 1994, it placed 6th with 49 points from 38 matches, reflecting mid-table stagnation amid Spartak Moscow's dominance, which yielded nine straight league titles from 1992 to 2000.[12][13][14] Revival efforts gained traction in the late 1990s under emerging private investment and leadership changes, with businessman Yevgeny Giner assuming the presidency in early 2001 after years of involvement in club affairs. These steps, combining military stability with commercial sponsorships, stabilized operations and rebuilt the squad, ending the decade with a 4th-place finish in 2000 and positioning CSKA for renewed contention.[15]European Breakthrough and Domestic Peaks (2000s)
In the early 2000s, under manager Valery Gazzaev, CSKA Moscow experienced a resurgence fueled by strategic signings and a robust youth system, culminating in domestic dominance and a historic European triumph. The club secured its first Russian Premier League title in the 2002–03 season, finishing with 65 points from 30 matches, ahead of Lokomotiv Moscow by five points.[16] This victory marked the beginning of a three-title streak in the decade, with additional championships in 2004–05 (62 points, six ahead of Spartak Moscow) and 2005–06 (58 points, seven ahead of Spartak).[16] [3] CSKA also claimed the Russian Cup in 2002, 2005, 2006, and 2007, contributing to a period of sustained excellence that positioned them as Russia's preeminent club during this era.[3] The pinnacle of CSKA's European breakthrough arrived in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, where the team navigated a challenging path including victories over Austria Wien, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Partizan, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Parma, before defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final on May 18, 2005, at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.[17] Goals from midfielders Vasili Berezutski, Yuri Zhirkov, and Sergei Ignashevich secured the win, making CSKA the first Russian club to claim a major European trophy and highlighting the tactical discipline and counter-attacking prowess under Gazzaev.[18] This success, combined with the domestic double that season, formed a rare treble, elevating CSKA's profile internationally and domestically.[19] Following the UEFA Cup victory, CSKA qualified for the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League group stage, where they faced Chelsea, Anderlecht, and Milan, finishing third with seven points from six matches despite notable draws against Chelsea (1–1 home) and Milan (1–1 away).[3] Key contributors included goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who debuted professionally in 2003 and anchored the defense, alongside forwards Vágner Love and midfielders like Daniel Carvalho, whose technical skill and set-piece execution were instrumental in the 2005 triumphs.[18] By the end of the decade, CSKA had amassed six major domestic honors, solidifying their status as a powerhouse amid growing investment from club president Yevgeny Giner, though sustained European progress remained elusive beyond the initial breakthrough.[1]Modern Challenges and Resilience (2010s-Present)
In the early 2010s, PFC CSKA Moscow achieved significant domestic success, clinching the Russian Premier League titles in the 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16 seasons, alongside Russian Cup victories in 2011 and 2013.[3] These triumphs built on the club's post-Soviet revival, with key contributions from players like Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia, though European campaigns yielded mixed results, including Champions League group stage exits in 2011–12 and 2015–16.[11] However, intensifying competition from state-backed rivals such as Zenit St. Petersburg, fueled by substantial energy sector investments, eroded CSKA's dominance, resulting in no further league titles after 2016 and frequent mid-table finishes in subsequent years.[20] The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine imposed profound external challenges, as UEFA suspended all Russian clubs from European competitions on February 28, 2022, barring CSKA from qualifying for the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League despite a potential top-four domestic finish.[21] This ban, extended indefinitely and upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on July 15, 2022, after appeals by CSKA, Zenit, Dynamo Moscow, and Sochi, severed access to lucrative UEFA revenue, limited player recruitment from abroad due to FIFA transfer restrictions, and isolated the club from global scouting networks.[22][23] Broader Western sanctions exacerbated financial strains, complicating sponsorships and ownership structures involving entities like Bluecastle Enterprises, though CSKA avoided the acute liquidity crises seen in some peers.[24] Despite these adversities, CSKA demonstrated resilience through sustained domestic competitiveness and internal development. The club secured the Russian Cup in 2022–23, its ninth title, and maintained a top-four presence in the Premier League, culminating in third place during the 2024–25 season with a record of 7 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses by late October.[3][25] Long-serving figures like captain Igor Akinfeev, with over 600 appearances since 2003, anchored stability, while youth academy outputs sustained squad depth amid transfer limitations.[26] This adaptability underscores CSKA's reliance on institutional ties to the Russian military-sport complex for operational continuity, even as geopolitical isolation persists.[27]Stadium and Facilities
VEB Arena
VEB Arena serves as the home stadium for PFC CSKA Moscow, accommodating up to 30,000 spectators for football matches.[28][29] The venue opened on 10 September 2016, hosting CSKA's Russian Premier League fixture against Terek Grozny as its inaugural event.[30][28] Construction commenced in 2007 to replace the club's previous ground, but progressed intermittently due to funding issues and regulatory hurdles, including a prolonged suspension of 16 months from 2009 to 2011.[31] The project, designed with a focus on modern functionality, integrates a continuous seating bowl initially planned but modified to include upper-tier tracks for enhanced sightlines.[28] In February 2017, the stadium acquired naming rights from VEB.RF, Russia's state-owned development corporation, reflecting its financial ties to the club's ownership structure.[30] A hallmark of the arena's architecture is a 142-meter tower rising from the southwest corner, engineered to mimic the UEFA Cup trophy in tribute to CSKA's 2005 victory in the competition.[32] This multifunctional structure encompasses office spaces and overlooks the pitch, contributing to the site's mixed-use development. The facility supports all-seater configuration compliant with UEFA standards, with a recorded peak attendance of 26,420 during the 2016 home opener.[28]Training and Youth Academy Infrastructure
The primary training ground for PFC CSKA Moscow is located in Vatutinki-1, within the Leninsky District of Moscow Oblast. This facility serves as the main base for the first-team squad's preparations and includes multiple pitches, among them two heated fields designed to support year-round training regardless of weather conditions.[33][34] The complex functions as a comprehensive sports center, accommodating team camps and sessions with on-site residential options for players and staff.[35] PFC CSKA Moscow's youth academy operates through the club's dedicated football school, which supports around 320 players across various age groups. These trainees receive full equipment provisions and financial scholarships directly from the club to facilitate their development.[36] The school's infrastructure features two dedicated football fields surfaced with contemporary artificial turf, enabling consistent training access in urban Moscow settings.[36] Supplementary facilities include Oktyabr Stadium, situated at Zhivopisnaya Street 21 in Moscow, which provides additional pitches for youth and reserve team activities.[33] This setup integrates with the club's broader resources, such as the nearby VEB Arena complex, to support scouting, coaching, and progression pathways from academy levels to professional squads, though specific metrics on academy output remain tied to historical player promotions rather than dedicated youth-only expansions.[33]Honours
Domestic Competitions
CSKA Moscow has secured 7 Soviet Top League titles, achieved in the seasons 1940, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, and 1991, establishing the club as one of the era's dominant forces under state-backed military sponsorship.[3] The team also lifted the Soviet Cup 5 times, with victories in 1946, 1951, 1977, 1988, and 1991, including a domestic double in the final Soviet season.[3] In the post-Soviet period, CSKA has won the Russian Premier League 6 times: in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2015–16, often under the guidance of coaches like Valery Gazzaev and Leonid Slutsky, leveraging a blend of Russian talent and strategic foreign signings.[3] [37] The club holds a record 9 Russian Cup triumphs, recorded in 2001–02, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, and 2022–23, demonstrating consistent cup competition prowess.[3] Additionally, CSKA has claimed the Russian Super Cup 8 times: in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2023, typically pitting league champions against cup winners or the previous season's top teams.[3]| Competition | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Soviet Top League | 7 | 1940, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1951, 1991 |
| Soviet Cup | 5 | 1946, 1951, 1977, 1988, 1991 |
| Russian Premier League | 6 | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16 |
| Russian Cup | 9 | 2001–02, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2022–23 |
| Russian Super Cup | 8 | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023 |
European Tournaments
PFC CSKA Moscow secured its only major European title by winning the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, defeating Sporting CP 3–1 in the final on 18 May 2005 at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.[17] The victory marked the first time a Russian club claimed a European competition trophy, achieved under manager Valeri Gazzaev with key contributions from players including Vágner Love, who scored in the final.[18][38] This success followed a domestic double of the Russian Premier League and Russian Cup, enabling qualification and progression through a challenging knockout path that included victories over clubs such as FC Artmedia, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, and Olympique de Marseille.[3] The club has not won additional European honours, though it qualified for the UEFA Super Cup in 2005 as UEFA Cup holders, losing 3–1 on aggregate to Liverpool after a 1–1 first-leg draw and 3–0 second-leg defeat.[3] Subsequent participations in the UEFA Champions League (reaching the group stage in seasons including 2006–07, 2009–10, and 2015–16) and UEFA Europa League yielded no further titles, with CSKA's overall European record reflecting competitive but trophyless campaigns post-2005.[11]Unofficial and Regional Awards
In the pre-national era of Soviet football, PFC CSKA Moscow's predecessor clubs competed in regional competitions such as the Moscow Championship, which predated the inaugural USSR Championship in 1936. These tournaments represented key local honors for Moscow-based teams during the 1920s and early 1930s.[39] The club's early iterations secured notable placements, including runner-up in the Moscow Championship between clubs (autumn edition) and runner-up in the Moscow Championship between first teams (spring edition), alongside a third-place finish in another Moscow Championship event.[39] These results highlight competitive regional standing amid the fragmented structure of Russian football before centralized national governance.[1] No major unofficial awards, such as independent rankings or non-federation trophies, are prominently documented in the club's historical record, with emphasis instead on official domestic and European successes in later periods.[39]Competitive Record
Russian Premier League and Soviet Top League Performance
In the Soviet Top League, which operated from 1936 to 1991 as the premier division of Soviet football, CSKA Moscow achieved seven championships, establishing itself as one of the league's most successful clubs alongside Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow.[40] [1] The titles were secured in the 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1970, and 1991 seasons, with the club benefiting from its affiliation with the Soviet military, which provided access to disciplined players and resources during and after World War II.[40] A notable period of dominance came immediately postwar, with three consecutive victories from 1946 to 1948, during which CSKA outpaced rivals in a league format that evolved from regional groups to a nationwide structure by 1936.[1] Later successes, including the 1991 title in the league's final season amid the USSR's dissolution, reflected resilience despite periods of inconsistency, such as relegations in the 1960s and 1980s that required promotion battles.[40]| Season | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1946 | Champions |
| 1947 | Champions |
| 1948 | Champions |
| 1950 | Champions |
| 1951 | Champions |
| 1970 | Champions |
| 1991 | Champions |
| Season | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Champions |
| 2005–06 | Champions |
| 2012–13 | Champions |
| 2013–14 | Champions |
| 2015–16 | Champions |
Domestic Cup Results
CSKA Moscow has won the Soviet Cup five times between 1945 and 1991, contributing to the club's early dominance in knockout competitions during the USSR era.[42] The victories occurred in the 1944–45, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1954–55, and 1990–91 seasons, with the latter marking a double alongside the Soviet Top League title in the final year of the competition.[42] These triumphs often featured defensive solidity and key contributions from military-affiliated players, reflecting the club's institutional backing. In the post-Soviet period, CSKA has excelled in the Russian Cup, securing nine titles as of 2025 and sharing the record for most wins with Lokomotiv Moscow.[43] The club achieved a hat-trick of consecutive victories from 2004–05 to 2006–07, including the 2005–06 final where they defeated rivals Spartak Moscow 3–0, and contributed to domestic trebles in 2005–06 (with the Premier League and Super Cup).[43] Recent successes include penalty shootout wins in the 2022–23 final against Krasnodar (1–1, 6–5 pens) and the 2024–25 final against Rostov (0–0, 4–3 pens), demonstrating resilience in high-stakes matches.[43][44]| Season | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Zenit Saint Petersburg | 2–0 |
| 2004–05 | FC Khimki | 1–0 |
| 2005–06 | Spartak Moscow | 3–0 |
| 2007–08 | Amkar Perm | 2–2 (4–1 pens) |
| 2008–09 | Rubin Kazan | 1–0 |
| 2010–11 | Alania Vladikavkaz | 2–1 |
| 2012–13 | Anzhi Makhachkala | 1–1 (4–3 pens) |
| 2022–23 | Krasnodar | 1–1 (6–5 pens) |
| 2024–25 | Rostov | 0–0 (4–3 pens) |
European Campaign Summaries
CSKA Moscow's European campaigns have primarily featured participations in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup/Europa League, with the club qualifying through domestic league and cup successes. The team has appeared in the Champions League group stage on nine occasions between 2004 and 2018, accumulating 18 wins, 18 draws, and 42 losses across 78 matches, but never advancing beyond the round of 16.[45] In the Europa League and its predecessor, CSKA contested 69 matches with 31 wins, though post-2005 performances were limited to group stage or early knockout exits.[46] The club's zenith occurred in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, where CSKA became the first Russian side to claim a major European trophy. Starting from the first round, they eliminated Fenerbahçe (aggregate 3–2), Maccabi Tel Aviv (6–1 aggregate), Partizan Belgrade (4–0 aggregate in quarter-finals), and Parma (3–2 aggregate in semi-finals, with a 2–1 first-leg win in Moscow secured by Taras Burlak and Vágner Love goals). In the final on May 18, 2005, in Lisbon, CSKA defeated Sporting CP 3–1, with goals from Aleksei Berezutski (28'), Yuri Zhirkov (44'), and Vágner Love (72'); Ricardo scored for Sporting (90+2'). This victory, under coach Valery Gazzaev, followed a domestic double of the Russian Premier League and Russian Cup.[17][18] Subsequent to the UEFA Cup triumph, CSKA contested the 2005 UEFA Super Cup on August 26 in Monaco, losing 1–3 to Liverpool after extra time. John Arne Riise (28' own goal by CSKA) and two late strikes from Djibril Cissé (82', 103' extra time) plus Luis García (109') secured the win for Liverpool, with CSKA's lone goal by Vágner Love (89').[47] In later Europa League campaigns, notable efforts included the 2010–11 group stage exit after topping a group with Beşiktaş, Rapid Wien, and Hapoel Tel Aviv, followed by a round of 32 loss to Porto (1–1 home, 0–2 away). The 2015–16 edition saw another group stage participation, but elimination with losses to Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur.[48] UEFA suspended Russian clubs from competitions starting February 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, curtailing CSKA's recent European involvement; prior to this, their 2018–19 Champions League group stage featured a 3–0 away win over Viktoria Plzeň but overall third-place finish behind Real Madrid and Roma.[49] Across all UEFA competitions, CSKA's record stands at 104 Champions League games (34 wins), reflecting consistent but rarely transcendent continental impact beyond the 2005 milestone.[46]Players and Personnel
Current First-Team Squad
As of the 2025–26 season, PFC CSKA Moscow's first-team squad consists of 28 players, with an average age of 23.4 years and 13 foreign nationals comprising 46.4% of the roster.[50]Goalkeepers
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Igor Akinfeev | Russia | 39 |
| 49 | Vladislav Torop | Russia | 21 |
| 85 | Egor Besaev | Russia | 19 |
Defenders
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | Igor Diveev | Russia | 26 |
| 4 | João Victor | Brazil | 27 |
| 90 | Matvey Lukin | Russia | 21 |
| 23 | Dzhamalutdin Abdulkadyrov | Russia | 20 |
| 27 | Moisés | Brazil | 30 |
| 68 | Mikhail Ryadno | Russia | 20 |
| 22 | Milan Gajic | Serbia | 29 |
| 24 | Ramiro Di Luciano | Argentina/Italy | 21 |
Midfielders
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Rodrigo Villagra | Argentina | 24 |
| 52 | Artem Bandikyan | Armenia/Russia | 20 |
| 31 | Matvey Kislyak | Russia | 20 |
| 10 | Ivan Oblyakov | Russia | 27 |
| 18 | Lionel Verde | Argentina | 21 |
| 3 | Danil Krugovoy | Russia | 27 |
| 7 | Matheus Alves | Brazil | 20 |
| 20 | Matija Popović | Serbia/Germany | 19 |
Forwards
| No. | Player | Nationality | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Daniel Ruiz | Colombia | 24 |
| 17 | Kirill Glebov | Russia | 19 |
| 37 | Henrique Carmo | Brazil | 18 |
| 30 | Gleb Popolitov | Russia | 18 |
| 14 | Egor Ushakov | Russia | 22 |
| 88 | Artem Serikov | Russia | 18 |
| 9 | Alerrandro | Brazil | 25 |
| 11 | Tamerlan Musaev | Russia | 24 |
| 8 | Artem Shumanskiy | Belarus | 20 |
Notable Alumni and Hall of Fame
CSKA Moscow has nurtured several players who attained prominence in Soviet and Russian football, contributing to the club's legacy through domestic and international achievements. Albert Shesternev, a central defender, played for CSKA from 1961 to 1972, earning 90 caps for the USSR national team, including captaincy at three FIFA World Cups (1962, 1966, and 1970) and two European Championships.[51][52] In the modern era, Sergey Ignashevich emerged as a cornerstone, accumulating 541 appearances for CSKA between 2004 and 2017, the second-highest in club history, while securing 127 international caps for Russia—the national record.[53] The club lacks a formal Hall of Fame, but such figures are often regarded as immortals for their longevity and contributions to titles like the 2005 UEFA Cup win. Other distinguished alumni include the Berezutski brothers, Aleksei and Vasili, who each exceeded 300 appearances primarily as defenders from 1999 to 2018, representing Russia at UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008.[53] Foreign talents like Brazilian forward Vágner Love, who scored prolifically across two stints (2004–2012 and 2015–2018), also left a mark with over 140 goals.[54] These players exemplify CSKA's role in developing talent amid its military-backed structure.Coaching and Management History
The coaching lineage of PFC CSKA Moscow originated with the club's formation in 1911 under the Russian Imperial Army, evolving through the Soviet period where military affiliation shaped its management. Boris Arkadyev, a pioneering figure in Soviet football, led the team—operating as CDKA Moscow during much of his tenure—from the late 1930s to the early 1950s, securing five Soviet Top League championships (1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951) and contributing to the club's foundational success amid state-controlled sports structures. [55] [56] His methods emphasized tactical discipline and player development, influencing generations despite political purges affecting the club post-1952 Olympics. Subsequent Soviet-era coaches included Konstantin Beskov (1960–1962), who brought experience from Dynamo Moscow, and multi-sport icon Vsevolod Bobrov in stints during the 1960s and 1970s, though CSKA's dominance waned relative to rivals like Spartak and Dynamo amid intensified competition and resource allocation in the USSR Championship. Albert Shesternyov managed briefly in 1982–1983, leveraging his playing legacy for tactical innovations. [57] In the post-Soviet era, CSKA endured financial instability and relegation threats before stabilization under Pavel Sadyrin, who coached multiple terms from 1989–1992, 1997–1998, and 2000–2001, laying groundwork for resurgence with a focus on youth integration. Valery Gazzaev's returns in 2001–2003 and 2004–2008 marked a pinnacle, yielding three Russian Premier League titles (2003, 2005, 2006), two Russian Cups (2002, 2005), and the 2005 UEFA Cup—the club's inaugural European honor—through aggressive recruitment and high-pressing tactics. [58] Leonid Slutsky's tenure from October 2009 to December 2016 delivered three additional league championships (2013, 2014, 2016) and two Russian Cups (2011, 2013), emphasizing defensive solidity and European qualification, while balancing club and national team duties for Russia at UEFA Euro 2016. [59] Recent years featured Viktor Goncharenko (2016–2021), who clinched Russian Cups in 2018 and 2020 amid squad transitions; brief caretaker roles by Ivica Olič (2021) and Aleksey Berezutskiy (2021–2022); and Vladimir Fedotov (2022–2024). Marko Nikolić held the post from June 2024 to June 2025, followed by Fabio Celestini, appointed 20 June 2025 on a two-year contract, introducing Swiss tactical precision to the Russian champions. [60]
| Period | Head Coach | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2003, 2004–2008 | Valery Gazzaev | 3× Russian Premier League, 1× UEFA Cup |
| 2009–2016 | Leonid Slutsky | 3× Russian Premier League, 2× Russian Cup |
| 2016–2021 | Viktor Goncharenko | 2× Russian Cup |
| 2025–present | Fabio Celestini | Ongoing tenure as of October 2025 |
Ownership, Sponsorship, and Economics
Ownership Evolution and Military Ties
PFC CSKA Moscow originated as the football team of the Central Sports Club of the Red Army (CDKA), founded in 1923 under the auspices of the Soviet Ministry of Defense to foster athletic prowess among military officers and personnel.[7] Throughout the Soviet period, the club operated as a constituent of the DOSARM sports society, directly funded and controlled by the armed forces, with its primary mandate to enhance physical readiness and ideological loyalty within the ranks.[5] This structure positioned CSKA as the premier representative of military sporting excellence, producing numerous athletes who doubled as servicemen. Following the Soviet Union's dissolution in 1991, CSKA underwent partial privatization, severing direct operational control by the Ministry of Defense while preserving its army-affiliated identity and branding.[1] By 2012, the Russian defense ministry divested its remaining equity stake to Bluecastle Enterprises Ltd., a UK-registered entity, marking the end of formal military ownership.[61] Subsequent financial strains, including over $240 million in debts tied to VEB Arena construction, prompted a major restructuring in 2019, when the state-owned VEB.RF development corporation acquired more than 75% of shares, converting liabilities into equity and assuming majority control.[62] This state intervention via VEB.RF, under government oversight, reflected ongoing public sector influence amid private management challenges. Military ties, though attenuated post-privatization, endure through CSKA's foundational role as the armed forces' flagship club and its integration into Russia's broader military sports framework. The club ceased mandatory military conscription for players in 2009, yet maintains affiliations that support army talent development and patriotic initiatives.[5] These connections have drawn international scrutiny, including U.S. sanctions in 2022 linking the club to Russian defense interests via historical and residual ties.[63]Kit Manufacturers and Sponsors
CSKA Moscow has utilized various kit manufacturers throughout its history, with Primera serving as the primary supplier for the 2025–26 season onward, producing the home kit to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the club's 2005 UEFA Cup victory.[64] Prior to this, the club adopted an in-house production model from the 2023–24 season through 2024–25, following the termination of its partnership with Joma, which had supplied kits from 2020 to 2023 and continued providing socks, off-field apparel, and goalkeeper equipment during the in-house period.[65] Earlier manufacturers included Umbro (2018–2020), adidas (2012–2018), Reebok (2009–2012), and Umbro again (2001–2008).[66]| Period | Kit Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 2025–present | Primera |
| 2023–2025 | In-House |
| 2020–2023 | Joma |
| 2018–2020 | Umbro |
| 2012–2018 | adidas |
| 2009–2012 | Reebok |
| 2001–2008 | Umbro |
| 1997–1999 | adidas |
| Period | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|
| 2023–present | Gold'n Apotheka |
| 2020–2023 | ICS Holding |
| 2013–2020 | Rosseti |
| 2012–2013 | Aeroflot |
| 2010–2012 | Bashneft |
| 2009–2010 | Aeroflot |
Financial Performance and Investments
PFC CSKA Moscow's financial operations have been shaped by its historical military affiliations and subsequent privatization efforts, with revenues primarily derived from domestic broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and matchday income following the exclusion from European competitions due to geopolitical sanctions imposed since 2022.[27] The club's estimated gross payroll for the 2024–2025 Russian Premier League season stood at €23.03 million, reflecting a mid-tier expenditure among top Russian clubs amid constrained international revenue streams.[70] Public funding remains a significant component for many Russian professional clubs, including those with state or military legacies like CSKA, often supplementing commercial earnings to sustain operations.[27] Key investments include the construction of VEB Arena, completed in 2016 at a total cost of approximately $350 million, with Vnesheconombank (VEB) contributing $240 million toward the project initially budgeted lower but escalated due to overruns.[30] The stadium, with a capacity of 30,457 seats, serves as a multi-purpose venue expected to generate around $20 million annually from premium skyboxes and commercial leasing, aiding debt servicing tied to ownership transitions involving VEB, which acquired over 75% of shares in 2019 by converting $240 million in club debt.[71][62] In the player market, CSKA has pursued targeted acquisitions despite transfer restrictions from sanctions, such as the €11.5 million signing of Chidera Ejuke from Heerenveen in 2020 and a $6 million fixed-fee deal for Henrique Carmo from São Paulo in September 2025, emphasizing youth and South American talent to bolster squad value.[72][73] Ownership evolved from military control, with the Ministry of Defence divesting shares to Bluecastle Enterprises in 2012, to majority state-linked entities like VEB before recent shifts to TRINFICO, complicating financial transparency amid sanctions targeting entities funding Russia's economy.[63][74] Pre-sanctions, UEFA prize money contributed €74 million over five years, underscoring lost international revenue potential.[75]Supporters, Culture, and Rivalries
Fan Demographics and Ultragroups
The supporter base of PFC CSKA Moscow is primarily concentrated in Moscow and central Russia, reflecting the club's historical roots as the Central Sports Club of the Army, with strong affiliations among military personnel, veterans, and individuals emphasizing national pride and discipline.[5][76] This military heritage fosters a fan demographic that includes serving and former armed forces members, distinguishing CSKA from "people's teams" like Spartak Moscow, whose supporters historically drew from trade unions and civilian workers.[77] While precise statistical breakdowns by age or gender are limited, the overall profile aligns with Russian football fandom: predominantly male, with active support from younger cohorts (teens to 30s) in organized groups and broader appeal to middle-aged patriots via the club's army symbolism.[78] CSKA's fan numbers in Moscow rival or exceed those of rivals Spartak, bolstered by the club's success and institutional ties, though attendance has fluctuated, averaging around 10,000-15,000 per home match in recent seasons at VEB Arena.[79][80] Ultragroups form the vocal core of CSKA's support, with the Red Blue Warriors (RBW) established as the primary firm in the early 1990s, known for choreographed displays, pyrotechnics, and coordinated chants emphasizing the club's red-and-blue colors and warrior ethos.[81] RBW maintains right-wing political leanings, fostering alliances with like-minded groups such as OFK Belgrade in Serbia and APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, while engaging in rivalries marked by street clashes, particularly against Spartak Moscow's Fratria ultras.[82] Subgroups like Yaroslavka, originating as a regional RBW branch in 1996, focus on away support and hooligan activities, contributing to CSKA's reputation for organized fan mobility and occasional violence.[83] These groups have faced scrutiny for far-right extremism, with some members joining volunteer militias like the Española Battalion in the Ukraine conflict, drawing from hooligan networks across Russian clubs.[84] Despite such incidents, RBW emphasizes loyalty to CSKA's military legacy, producing large tifos and sustaining presence even amid post-2022 geopolitical restrictions on international travel.[85]Key Rivalries and Derbies
The principal rivalry for PFC CSKA Moscow is with Spartak Moscow, forming the Main Moscow Derby, which has been regarded as the most intense and principled confrontation in the Russian Premier League for decades.[86] This fixture originated on June 1, 1922, with Spartak securing a 4-2 victory over CSKA in their inaugural encounter, establishing a competitive dynamic rooted in contrasting institutional identities: CSKA as the army-affiliated club symbolizing military discipline, versus Spartak as the "people's team" representing broader societal elements.[87] Matches have frequently featured high stakes, with notable incidents including a five-minute halt due to crowd disturbances during Spartak's 3-1 win on October 29, 2016.[88] Another significant Moscow derby pits CSKA against Dynamo Moscow, though it carries less historical animosity than the Spartak clash.[89] This rivalry stems from the clubs' shared capital-city status and Soviet-era ties—Dynamo linked to internal security forces—but has produced balanced results, exemplified by Dynamo's edge in recent head-to-heads since 2004, where they secured 21 victories to CSKA's 16 across 52 games.[90] Encounters like Dynamo's 1-3 home defeat to CSKA on August 17, 2025, underscore ongoing competitiveness within the city's "big four" framework.[91] Beyond Moscow, CSKA maintains regional tensions with clubs like Lokomotiv Moscow, tied to railway workers, but these lack the derby fervor of intra-capital matchups; nationally, clashes with Zenit Saint Petersburg evoke broader league rivalries amid title pursuits.[89] Fan violence has occasionally intensified these games, as seen in broader Moscow derby contexts, though CSKA's military heritage influences supporter dynamics without dominating post-Soviet narratives.[92]Traditions, Nicknames, and Social Impact
PFC CSKA Moscow bears several nicknames tied to its historical and visual identity. "Koni" (Horses) originates from the club's early facilities located on the site of former royal stables and a horse racing track in Moscow, a reference preserved in the club's emblem featuring a mounted soldier.[7] [28] "Krasno-sinie" (Red and Blues) reflects the team's traditional kit colors of red and blue, while "Armeytsy" (Army Men) underscores its longstanding association with the Russian military.[5] In Western contexts, it is often called the "Red Army" team due to its Soviet-era links to the Armed Forces sports society.[5] Club traditions stem from its military foundations, established in 1911 as part of the Russian Empire's sports societies and later integrated into the Soviet Army's structure.[5] These include an emphasis on discipline and collective effort, mirroring armed forces values, with the horseman logo evoking cavalry heritage.[7] During the Soviet period, CSKA served as a platform to demonstrate military athletic prowess, producing athletes who advanced national prestige in competitions.[93] Although formal military conscription of players ended in 2009, the club's identity retains symbolic ties to patriotism and physical conditioning.[5] Socially, CSKA has shaped Russian football culture by representing institutional power and national pride, particularly among military-affiliated demographics.[93] Its success, including multiple league titles and European campaigns, has influenced youth participation in sports and fostered a fanbase emphasizing loyalty and rivalry intensity.[5] However, the club's supporter culture has faced scrutiny for incidents of hooliganism and xenophobia, reflecting broader challenges in Russian football ultras groups, though these do not define its overall contributions to domestic sporting development.[85]Controversies and Incidents
Fan Violence and Discrimination Cases
CSKA Moscow supporters have been implicated in multiple incidents of violence and discrimination, particularly racism, leading to sanctions from UEFA and the Russian Football Union. In October 2013, UEFA opened a disciplinary case against the club following racist chants directed at Manchester City players during a Champions League match on October 23, where referee Ovidiu Hategan reported monkey noises and abuse.[94] The club faced further penalties in 2014 after a series of racist and violent episodes, including the partial closure of their stadium for a Europa League game against Fiorentina and a full fan ban for Champions League group stage home matches.[95] UEFA cited a "zero-tolerance policy" toward such behavior, though CSKA officials denied the extent of the abuse in some instances.[96] Racist incidents continued into 2015, with CSKA ordered to close six sections of their stadium after fans abused FC Krasnodar supporters with death threats and discriminatory chants during a July 25 Russian Premier League match.[97] Anti-discrimination monitors like FARE documented over 200 such cases across Russian football that year, including CSKA's, often targeting players or fans of non-Slavic appearance.[98] In April 2018, UEFA investigated potential racist behavior by CSKA fans during an Europa League tie against Arsenal, though the club dismissed claims as "slander" amid broader scrutiny ahead of the World Cup.[99] These events reflect patterns in Russian ultras culture, where xenophobic elements have persisted despite club efforts like CSKA Against Racism, founded by supporter Robert Ustian to counter violent fringes.[100] Violence among CSKA hooligans has frequently erupted in clashes with rivals. On March 5, 2017, during a Russian Premier League match against Zenit St. Petersburg, CSKA and Zenit supporters fought in the stands, involving punches and thrown objects, exacerbating concerns over organized hooliganism in Russia.[101] Similar brawls occurred on Moscow streets ahead of derbies, such as in September 2018, where police intervened in pre-match skirmishes between CSKA and Spartak fans.[102] In July 2018, three CSKA-affiliated hooligans were detained after a deadly brawl outside a Moscow train station that killed a man, highlighting the lethal risks of fan firm rivalries. Russian authorities responded with mass arrests, including over 200 hooligans banned from matches before the 2018 World Cup, though enforcement has been criticized as inconsistent.[85] CSKA's military ties have not insulated fans from these issues, with neo-Nazi elements documented in some ultras groups contributing to both violence and discrimination.[103]Doping Allegations and Disciplinary Actions
In November 2009, CSKA Moscow defenders Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksei Berezutsky tested positive for the banned substance pseudoephedrine following a UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United on November 3.[104] The players were provisionally suspended, prompting speculation about the club's participation in the competition, but UEFA's disciplinary panel ruled the violation unintentional, stemming from over-the-counter medication, and imposed only one-match bans on each player while clearing CSKA to advance.[105] No further sanctions were applied to the club, distinguishing the case from deliberate performance enhancement. In September 2016, CSKA midfielder Roman Eremenko, a Finnish international, tested positive for cocaine metabolites after a UEFA Europa League match against Panathinaikos on August 25.[106] UEFA provisionally suspended him from all football activities, and in November, a disciplinary panel imposed a two-year ban, citing the substance's prohibition under World Anti-Doping Agency rules regardless of performance-enhancing intent.[107] Eremenko appealed, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the full ban in July 2017, rejecting claims of accidental ingestion and noting the test confirmed recent use.[108] The incident drew attention amid broader scrutiny of Russian sports but was treated as an individual violation without club-level penalties.[109] These cases represent isolated player-level incidents rather than systemic doping within CSKA Moscow, with no evidence of institutional involvement emerging from UEFA or WADA investigations.[105][106] The 2009 event involved a common decongestant, while Eremenko's cocaine detection raised questions of recreational use, though both triggered standard anti-doping protocols without escalating to team disqualifications.Geopolitical Bans and Sanctions Effects
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended all Russian national and club teams, including PFC CSKA Moscow, from participating in their competitions until further notice.[110][111] This decision prevented CSKA Moscow from qualifying for or competing in UEFA Champions League or Europa League matches despite domestic league performance that would otherwise have entitled it to entry, such as its third-place finish in the 2021–22 Russian Premier League.[112] CSKA Moscow, alongside other top Russian clubs like Zenit St. Petersburg, appealed the bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in May 2022, arguing the exclusions violated principles of neutrality and proportionality.[112] The appeals were dismissed on July 15, 2022, with CAS upholding FIFA and UEFA's authority to implement the measures in response to the invasion.[23][111] The bans have persisted, barring Russian clubs from the 2025–26 UEFA competitions as confirmed after the qualifying draws.[113] Western sanctions compounded these sporting exclusions, targeting CSKA Moscow's ownership by VEB.RF, a state development corporation sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK for financing Russia's military actions.[114][115] This led to transfer payment disputes, notably with West Ham United, which could not remit the remaining €10 million (approximately £13.5 million) installment for Nikola Vlašić's 2021 transfer due to UK sanctions regime restrictions.[116][117] In June 2025, CAS ruled in CSKA's favor, ordering payment despite the sanctions, citing no direct government interference in the private contract.[74][118] FIFA imposed an additional transfer ban on CSKA Moscow effective November 14, 2024, prohibiting incoming and outgoing registrations for three windows until summer 2026, in response to violations of player release rules amid the geopolitical crisis; this was lifted earlier than anticipated following remedial actions.[119] Broader effects included challenges in retaining or attracting foreign players and coaches, with FIFA's temporary rules allowing contracts to be suspended by Ukrainian and Russian clubs until June 2026, though CSKA pursued high-profile hires like Swiss coach Fabio Celestini in June 2025, raising potential sanctions compliance issues in Europe.[120][114] These restrictions have reduced international revenue and exposure, forcing reliance on domestic markets despite active internal transfers.[121]Records and Statistics
Individual Goalscoring and Appearance Leaders
Igor Akinfeev holds the record for the most appearances for PFC CSKA Moscow, with 809 matches across all official competitions as of 2025.[122] The long-serving goalkeeper, who debuted in 2003, has been a mainstay since 2005, contributing to multiple league titles and cups during his one-club career.[11] Grigory Fedotov is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 149 goals between 1938 and 1949, including during the Soviet era's formative years for CSKA.[123] Brazilian forward Vágner Love ranks second with 124 goals in 259 appearances from 2004 to 2013 (with a brief return).| Top Goalscorers | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Grigory Fedotov | 149 | 1938–1949[123] |
| Vágner Love | 124 | 2004–2013 |
| Top Appearances | Matches | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Igor Akinfeev | 809 | 2003–present[122] |
