Russia Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko: season change to blame

The Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has placed the blame for Russia's surprise Euro 2012 exit with the new seasonal change to bring the league in line with Europe's autumn to spring schedule.

The change meant a 14-month-long season for Russian clubs, and Mutko cites this as the main reason for the nation's Euro 2012 failure when he spoke to Russian state television.

"The guys were affected by the championship changing from the spring-to-autumn system, they were tired after the lengthy season," he said, before admitting the players did not perform to expectations.

"The team potential is much higher than their result. There was hope that we would make it through due to the class [of the players], but we didn't."

The new Russian league season starts in July.