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Zenit Saint Petersburg 'absolutely condemn' Aleksandr Kokorin after alleged cafe attack

Zenit Saint Petersburg have strongly condemned Aleksandr Kokorin following an alleged attack on a government official in a Moscow cafe.

Security footage allegedly showed Kokorin and Krasnodar's Pavel Mamaev attacking trade ministry official Denis Pak as he ate at a table.

A statement issued on Zenit's official website confirmed Kokorin's involvement and the club will now consider the appropriate disciplinary action.

"Regarding yesterday's incident in Moscow involving Alexander Kokorin, we absolutely condemn the actions of those involved, it has caused outrage within our club and we are waiting for a legal assessment from the relevant authorities, but from a personal point of view, such behaviour is truly shocking," the statement said.

"We are now considering what punishment the club will take against the player and action will be forthcoming in the near future. At this present time, the club and the supporters are very disappointed that one of the country's most talented footballers has behaved in such a manner."

Russia's minister of sport, Pavel Kolobkov, said the pair's international careers will be finished if they are found guilty in any criminal proceedings.

"If professional athletes are really involved in this, Zenit attacker Alexander Kokorin and Krasnodar midfielder Pavel Mamaev, then this is unacceptable -- unsportsmanlike behaviour, which casts a shadow on all Russian football," Kolobkov told Russian news agency Tass.

"These guys are not playing in the Russian national team and, apparently, will never be."

Mamaev's wife, Alana, asked for forgiveness following the alleged row and claimed the footballers were intoxicated at the time. 

"They were drunk. How else can you explain such behaviour? I am ashamed of him. Please forgive," she said.

Kokorin, 27, has represented Russia 48 times but missed this year's home World Cup through injury. Mamaev, 30, has 15 Russia caps and moved to Krasnodar from CSKA Moscow in 2013.

Information from ESPN FC's Michael Yokhin was used in this report.

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