Russian ice hockey club AK Bars is getting heavy backlash after they dumped their cheerleading team because players on the team had wives were extremely jealous of them. The club will now promote a more ‘family-friendly’ atmosphere at games, according to RT.com
“Explaining the decision to Russian channel Match TV, the team’s press service said they held pre-season events without the cheerleading outfit, also citing the departure of the lead girl to Moscow as another factor and the possibility to free up space in the stands.
However, coming after Russian MMA icon Khabib Nurmagomedov – a devout Muslim – called scantily-clad ring girls ‘the most unnecessary people’ in his sport, the news had aroused suspicion that AK Bars was taking its cue from the UFC superstar.
Tatarstan is home to one of Russia’s most important Muslim communities, with more Muslims than Orthodox Christians.
The club denied that Dagestani fighter Khabib’s comments were anything to do with its move to ditch their cheerleaders, stating it had “made the decision earlier” and was taking a more friendly-oriented direction – but admitting the girls’ disappointment at being dumped.
“When we told them about the decision, of course, the girls were upset. But we’ll meet with them again and present them with some valuable gifts,” an official was quoted as saying.”
Barieva reported that team officials were worried about jealous wives angry at their husbands being more interested in attractive girls than their job on the ice.
“The arguments were that supposedly other people’s wives don’t react very well to beautiful girls. Therefore, the club decided to abandon the services of the support group altogether,” Barieva said.
“Naturally, I didn’t like it. Even though I’ve already left Bars Angels, I’d very much like the group to live. The group there is very good, strong, the girls are beautiful…
“At least they could have said in advance!… But there was no such announcement. Just in the middle of August, before the start of the season, they said: ‘Goodbye’… All the girls are very upset and didn’t expect this.”
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Barieva dismissed the idea that cheerleaders were a source of “debauchery” or not family-friendly entertainment.
“On the contrary, women only supported us,” she said.
“Even the last season, there were times when I couldn’t dance. And women from the stands shouted to me: ‘Rigina, go on stage! Why are not you dancing? Because of this, we’re losing!’”
