Two members of Russia's football coaching staff have failed to accompany the national team abroad for a match, citing an ongoing dispute with the country's football association over unpaid wages.
Italian trainer Christian Panucci and his compatriot, fitness coach Massimo Neri, have not gone with the team to Austria, against whom Russia will play its Euro 2016 qualifier Saturday.
The Russian Football Union confirmed the news to sports website Sovsport, saying Monday in a statement: "Panucci and Neri did not come because of contractual disagreements."
The association has been struggling to pay the wages of its national team's coaching staff since June, when Russia crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage, The Associated Press reported.
Italian head coach Fabio Capello is reportedly one of the best paid coaches in world football, with a contract worth $11 million a year, according to Forbes' estimates.
Russia takes on Austria this Saturday at 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. Moscow time) and could go to the top of their group with a win.
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