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Maleev steps in for Shapiro

Yuri Maleev has taken over as coach of FC Torpedo Zhodino after Yakov Shapiro died of a heart attack.

Yuri Maleev has taken over as coach of FC Torpedo Zhodino, replacing Yakov Shapiro who died of a heart attack last Saturday.

Fixture postponed
The club waited for five days after Shapiro's death before appointing the 36-year-old Maleev, who has been on their coaching staff since he retired from playing at the end of last season. Shapiro, who was just 42, died after Torpedo's game against FC Neman Grodno but the Belarussian authorities allowed the club to postpone this weekend's fixture against FC Gomel in order for players and officials to attend the funeral.

Coaching role
Maleev, a key player in the Torpedo team before retiring, now faces the task of maintaining the club's good position in the league. They are currently in second place in the Belarussian top flight, level on 31 points with FC Dinamo Minsk. Torpedo will play their rearranged fixture against Gomel on 25 July.