MOSCOW, August 23 (RIA Novosti) - The press service of the Russian Football Union (RFS), the national body governing soccer, denied media allegations that Latvian national team player Vitaly Astafyev said Russia had "attempted to bribe players and the leadership of the Latvian Football Federation" before the 2006 World Championship Russia-Latvia qualifying match.
"These allegations are unrealistic and absolutely absurd," the press service said.
The RFS officially demanded that Secretary General of the Latvian Football Federation Janis Mezeckis elaborate on Astafyev's statement and offer up evidence.
"Considering that such allegations damage the reputation of Russian football, the RFS has a right to request that the FIFA disciplinary body fine Vitaly Astafyev for disseminating knowingly false fabrications," the RFS press release said.
