| Aleksey Spiridonov | |
| Full Name: | Aleksey Gayovitch Spiridonov |
| Birth Date: | June 26, 1988 |
| Birth Place: | Revyakino, Russia |
| Height: | 1.96 m |
| Weight: | 96 kg |
| Spike: | 347 cm |
| Block: | 328 cm |
| Position: | Outside hitter |
| Currentclub: | Zenit Kazan |
| Currentnumber: | 15 (club), 9 (national team) |
| Years: | 2008–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2016 2016–2018 2018– |
| Teams: | Iskra Odintsovo Ural Ufa Fakel Novy Urengoy Zenit Kazan Yenisey Krasnoyarsk Zenit Kazan |
| Nationalyears: | 2011– |
| Updated: | 21 December 2017 |
Aleksey Spiridonov (born 26 June 1988) is a Russian volleyball player, a member of Russia men's national volleyball team and Russian club Zenit Kazan,[1] European Champion 2011, gold medalist of the World League (2011, 2013).
The player has attracted much controversy, especially due to his repeated and ongoing extreme Polonophobic statements.[2]
In 2011 he was punished by Volleyball Federation of Russia because of drunkenness for six months.[3]
During match with Germany at World Championship 2014 held in Poland, he made a "rifle shooting" gesture in the direction of fans.[4] This was seen as a lack of respect for the fans and he was cautioned by the FIVB.[5] He repeatedly insulted Poland in interviews with Russian media.[6] During a match against Poland, he was accused of spitting on MP Marek Matuszewski, which he denied.[7] In May 2015 Spiridonov was suspended for two matches for his misbehavior in the match against Germany. He missed two games at the start of the World League on May 28 and 29 against Poland.[8]