Razin honoured in Belarus
Monday, December 13, 2004
Article summary
Midfielder Andrei Razin of 2004 champions FC Dinamo Minsk has been named Belarussian Player of the Year.
Article body
Midfield Dinamo
The 25-year-old midfielder enjoyed his best season yet in 2004, playing an integral part in Dinamo's title triumph. In 27 matches, Razin provided ten goals and 12 assists, although he is still to be called up by Belarus.
Positional awards
While Razin received the Belarus Football Federation (BFF) award for best player, FC BATE Borisov's Yuri Zhevnov took the goalkeeper's gong and Dinamo team-mate Sergei Pavlyukovich the defensive honours. Razin was also voted best midfielder with the striking prize going to FC Naftan Novopolotsk's Valeri Stripeikis.
Restriction on foreigners
The BFF has also announced a limit on the number of foreign players allowed in each squad from the 2005 season. Belarussian clubs will be restricted to eight imports, with a maximum of five being permitted in the 18-man squad for any game, and only three allowed to play at any given time.
Special exemptions
A special clause in the ruling means that players without Belarussian passports who signed contracts before 31 August 2004 will be treated as nationals until those deals expire.
