Oleh Valeriyovych Protasov is a Ukrainian and Soviet former footballer who played as a striker. He was a key member of the Soviet Union national team throughout the 1980s; his 28 goals for the Soviet Union are second in the team's history, behind Oleg Blokhin's 42. It should be considered that his first name is often spelled as Oleg on most of international rosters, particularly during his playing career.
Marat Nailevich Izmailov is a Russian former professional footballer turned linesman.
Andrey Sergeyevich Arshavin is a Russian former professional footballer who played as a winger or midfielder. Since 2019, Arshavin has held administrative posts at Zenit. In 2022 he became Deputy General Director for Sports Development, and became a member of the club's executive board in 2023.
FC Kuban was a Russian professional football club based in Krasnodar, which now only plays on a regional level. The team began playing in the Russian Premier League in 2011, having for won the Russian First Division a year prior. By then, it was one of the oldest professional football clubs in the country, with its foundation being linked to the Soviet NKVD as Dynamo Krasnodar. It changed its name at a time of political change in the USSR.
Igor Alexandre Lolo is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Ivelin Ivanov Popov is a Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Bulgarian First League club Botev Plovdiv.
Gevorg Ghazaryan is an Armenian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or forward.
Renat Rudolfovich Yanbayev is a Russian association football official and a former full-back. He is the director of sports for Krasnoye Znamya Noginsk. He was born to an ethnic Russian mother and Volga Tatar father.
Marcos Pinheiro Pizzelli, commonly known as Marcos, is a former professional footballer. Born in Brazil, Marcos represented Armenia internationally between 2008 and 2019.
Charles Kaboré is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. A Burkina Faso international from 2006 to 2021, he is the country's most capped player.
Mohammed Rabiu Al-Hassan, simply known as Mohammed Rabiu, is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He has earned over 30 caps for the Ghana national team.
Georgios Bartzokas is a Greek former professional basketball player and current head coach for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League (GBL) and the EuroLeague.
Lacina Emeghara Traoré is an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is nicknamed “The Big Tree”, due to his 1.98m frame, which puts him among the tallest professional footballers.
Dmitri Alekseyevich Tarasov is a Russian former footballer who played as a central midfielder or defensive midfielder.
FC Krasnodar is a Russian professional football club based in Krasnodar that plays in the Russian Premier League. The club was founded in 2008. In 2009, the club was promoted to the Russian First Division, the second highest division of the Russian football league system, despite finishing Zone South of Second Division in third. At the end of the 2010 season, they were promoted to the Russian Premier League for the 2011 season, despite finishing fifth in the first division.
David Manoyan is an Armenian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cilicia.
Bauyrzhan Yerbosynuly Islamkhan is a Kazakh professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Kazakhstan Premier League club Ordabasy and the Kazakhstan national team. In the past he served as a captain for the Kazakhstan under-21 team. He is also a 6-time vice-champion of Kazakhstan and 4-time winner of the country cup.
The 2013–14 FC Kuban Krasnodar season was the third successive season that the club played in the Russian Premier League, the highest tier of football in Russia. They finished the season in 8th place and were knocked out at the fifth round of the Russian Cup by Zvezda Ryazan on penalties after a 2–2 draw.
The 2015–16 Russian Premier League was the 24th season of the premier football competition in Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the 14th under the current Russian Premier League name.
Jules Christ Eboue Kouassi is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Portuguese Primeira Liga club Arouca.
