The Russian is facing punishment from the FIVB Disciplinary Panel after allegedly spitting at Marek Matuszewski, a politician from Poland's Law and Justice Party, after his team lost 3-2 to hosts Poland during the teams' Round III fixture at the Atlas Arena in Łódź.

The controversial 26-year-old is also said to have mimed a machine gun action at the fans after scoring a point in another match.

Graça, the man in charge of Volleyball's world governing body, told insidethegames the actions were "something unacceptable in sport".

Despite having no say in what action can be taken against Spiridonov, which will be decided by the Disciplinary Panel, Graça said that "in his private opinion" it is "unacceptable".

"It's not up to me to take any kind of decision because FIVB has a tribunal that we call the Disciplinary Panel," he said.

"And there the case will be decided by the tribunal.

"Our part is to send him to that tribunal and the tribunal would decide what to do with him.

"My private opinion is that it's unacceptable.

"Not only to spit, in another match he did that [makes machine gun gesture] to the Polish.

"Considering the political problem between Russia and Poland, and the Ukraine, to shoot the public is complicated.

"I already give the order to gather the tribunal in the next 20 days.

"Why not today?

"Because we must make the process with the proof; we have to gather all those things to offer to the tribunal and they will decide."

Alexy Spiridonov allegedly spat at a politician after his team lost to Poland in the final Round III fixture at the Volleyball World Championship ©Getty Images





The player reportedly spat at Matuszewski after the he shouted at the Russian players: "Give the Crimea back!"

"I did not do anything to him," Matuszewski said, according to Russian news reports.

"All the fans were shouting 'Dasvidania' [goodbye], there was no aggression from our side.

"Spiridonov was passing by and spat at me."

The Russian star denies spitting at anybody, however.

"Of course, I didn't do it," he told Polish media.

"That is rubbish!

"I'd rather punch that deputy!"

Graça has said the decision over whether any further action will be taken against Spiridonov will be made within 20 days.

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