Russian police launch probe into paintball attack on Dynamo players

MOSCOW -- Russian police have opened a criminal probe into Friday's paintball attack on Dynamo Moscow players by their own fans. Players including midfielder Alan Gatagov were hit when a gang of camouflaged assailants opened fire from behind a fence at the club's training base outside Moscow in Novogorsk.

Dynamo Moscow's president has vowed to find and punish fans. "They are idiots," Gennady Solovyov told local media. "I have no other words to describe those who could do such things. I promise I'll do my best to try to find and punish those responsible for these actions." Solovyov is a retired KGB general.

Dynamo midfielder Alan Gatagov said: "I was hit in the back of the head when they shot at us. Lots of players were also hit. I just can't find the right words. What are we supposed to do now? Should each of us hire a personal bodyguard?"

Reports said fans scattered leaflets addressed to the club's foreign players such as former Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi, Australia international Luke Wilkshire, Hungary's Balazs Dzsudzsak and Ecuador's Cristian Noboa, warning them to boost their performances or pay the consequences.

"This is the final warning. We're not going to support these losers any more," said the leaflet, which carried a picture of Kuranyi, Dzsudzsak, Noboa and Argentina's Leandro Fernandez. "They are killing Dynamo's football, get rid of them."

It was the latest in a series of protests by Dynamo fans, dissatisfied with the club's dismal results this season.

Dynamo, the country's oldest football club which has never been relegated, were bottom of the league after losing seven of eight games at the start of the season. They have moved up to 13th after hiring former Romania and Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu as coach in August.

Combined news sources