Сергей Солодовников. Фото: abff.by
Former Neman footballer and coach Siarhei Saladounikau is a suspect in a criminal case involving the unlawful payment of salaries. According to Betting.team, the former player and coach of the Hrodna club was dismissed as director of its children’s and youth sports school. He is taking part in investigative procedures and attending interrogations.
On October 19, it was reported that the State Control Committee for the Hrodna Region, together with the Department of Financial Investigations, had inspected a sports institution in Hrodna. The inspection uncovered the unlawful use of public funds.
According to the report, three football school coaches were unlawfully paid more than 8,500 roubles for training sessions they had not conducted. During this period, the employees were absent from work, while inaccurate information was entered into timesheets. A criminal case was opened. During the inspection, the suspects repaid the full amount.
The official statement did not name those involved. However, Betting.team, citing sources close to the club, reports that investigators raised questions about Sergei Saladounikau, who had headed Neman’s specialised children’s and youth Olympic reserve sports school since 2019.
The 67-year-old Saladounikau played 423 matches and scored 153 goals for the Hrodna club, formerly known as Khimik. After two seasons with Poland’s Jagiellonia, he returned to Hrodna and later became a coach. In total, he worked at Neman for around 20 years and managed the team in 391 matches. One of the club’s major achievements associated with his name is its silver medal in the 2002 Belarusian championship.
According to the publication, Saladounikau was dismissed as director of the sports school on October 7. By October 21, his name and that of deputy director Aliaksandr Balukh had disappeared from the club’s official website. Betting.team reports that Balukh was transferred to another position.
Sources at the club told the publication that Saladounikau is a suspect in the case but remains at liberty and is participating in investigative procedures. According to Betting.team’s sources, the case has been ongoing for some time, but only became public knowledge now.
Journalists contacted Siarhei’s brother, Valery Saladounikau, who declined to comment. The former footballer himself also refused to provide a detailed explanation: “I don’t have time to talk about this.”