Russian Rugby Federation budget fell 30% to 35%, Artemyev says

The Russian Rugby Federation's budget has fallen by 30% to 35% over the past two years, its Supreme Council chairman Igor Artemyev told RBC television.

Private funding now accounts for 40% to 45% of the budget, down from 75%, he said. The federation cut some regional and lower-priority competitions and reorganised its administration and rugby academy. Player salaries were protected from the cuts, Artemyev said.

State support is covering part of the shortfall. This year, the federation expects to receive roughly as much from the Russian Sports Fund as it previously received from the Unified Gambling Regulator. It hopes that support will increase next year. Some clubs, including those in Krasnoyarsk, rely predominantly on regional government budgets, he said.

Artemyev put average Russian rugby player pay at 120 thousand rubles a month. Leading foreign players, mostly from South Africa, can earn about 500 thousand rubles. He estimated that rugby costs 10 to 13 times less than Russian football across salaries, infrastructure and federation spending.

The federation has introduced annual spending limits to balance club budgets. Artemyev also supported young Russian players moving abroad, saying stronger competition in France and Britain helps them develop. They can return to play for the national side or continue their careers at Russian clubs.

He nevertheless stressed the importance of clubs fielding locally developed players. Currently, up to six foreign players can be on the field among the 15 starters. The federation may lower that limit to five for the coming season, he said.