<
>

Russian club Torpedo Moscow on brink of financial collapse

MOSCOW -- Torpedo Moscow are on the brink of collapse after withdrawing from the Russian league because of financial problems.

Torpedo, a three-time champion in the Soviet era and winner of the Russian Cup, were relegated from the Russian Premier League last season and have not applied for a place in the second tier.

Long-running financial struggles meant the club's players went unpaid for much of last season.

Torpedo did not feature in a fixture list published on Tuesday for the second tier, and may leave professional football altogether.

The club's debt is up to 230 million rubles ($4 million), club president Alexander Tukmanov told Tass.

Torpedo were relegated to the amateur leagues due to financial problems in 2008 before climbing back up the divisions.