According to the current regulations of the Russian Football Union (RFU), the expelled Khimki will be replaced in the RPL by another club according to the final decision of the RFU executive committee, which will be made taking into account the official opinions of both the RPL itself and the Football National League (FNL). It is noteworthy that when selecting a replacement club, according to the rules, the teams that played in the RPL in the completed season will have an advantage over the representatives of the Melbet-First League, who took places below the direct exit zone or knockout matches. According to Match TV, the exact date of the RFU executive committee meeting, which will finalize the club replacing Khimki, has not yet been set at this time. This unforeseen situation emphasizes the strict financial requirements for participation in Russia's elite soccer division and creates an unexpected vacancy in the RPL roster for the upcoming new season.
While Russian hockey clubs are actively engaged in building their squads for the upcoming season - Spartak signs a long-term contract with the MHL's best player Ivan Ryabov, and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl announces the departure of goalkeeping coach Rashit Davydov - other team sports, particularly soccer, are dealing with equally important issues related to the final roster for next year's top leagues.