Spartak Moscow bans Irish midfielder McGeady

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Irish midfielder Aiden McGeady has been suspended from Spartak Moscow’s first team for an indefinite period for disobeying instructions, coach Valery Karpin said on Friday. “Yes, McGeady has been suspended from training with the first team for not following my instructions in training and matches,” Russian international Karpin told reporters. “The rest is our internal matter.” Local media reported McGeady, who won 63 caps for Ireland, was criticised by Karpin for his poor form and his performance in Spartak’s 1-0 loss to city rivals CSKA last Saturday. Several Russian newspapers reported the 27-year-old winger was only allowed to play in Spartak’s reserve team and would leave the club in January. “We were all surprised to see the Irishman on the field and asked him what happened,” a reserve team player told the Izvestya newspaper on condition of anonymity after Friday’s training session. McGeady joined Spartak from Celtic in 2010, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal for a transfer fee of £9.5 million ($15.53 million). Spartak, who are third in the table with 33 points from 17 games and three points behind leaders Zenit St Petersburg, play Volga on Sunday. (Written by Angel Krasimirov; Edited by Alison Wildey)