Inal Tanashev has been recognized as the best referee in Russia for the 2025/26 season, marking a remarkable rise in his officiating career. The 29-year-old from Nalchik made his debut in the Russian Premier League (RPL) in July 2025 and quickly established himself as a leading figure in the league’s refereeing corps.
Typically, football referees gain recognition and respect over many years, with established figures like Sergey Karasev and Kirill Levnikov serving as precedents. Karasev, known for officiating in high-profile events such as the European Championship playoffs and the UEFA Super Cup, received the "Referee of the Year" award in 2023 and 2024. Levnikov was last season’s top-rated referee according to the same survey. However, many referees often face criticism rather than praise, reflecting the high scrutiny their decisions receive from clubs, fans, and the media.
Tanashev’s breakthrough season stands out as he was entrusted with officiating the Russian Cup superfinal in his first year at the highest level, an assignment that underscores the confidence placed in his abilities. His performance was well received, drawing rare public compliments from observers, including prominent journalist Igor Rabiner.
The selection of the season’s best referee was based on a comprehensive voting process that included anonymous club representatives, fan input via an online poll, and an expert analysis of refereeing errors. Tanashev’s lead was significant, notably receiving votes from 10 RPL club officials, far surpassing Levnikov’s four votes. Levnikov maintained a strong second place overall, despite a slight drop in form compared to his previous outstanding season. Karasev showed improvement over this period but has not yet regained his prior peak performance.
Fan support for Tanashev was equally decisive, as he secured 46 percent of the votes— the second-highest margin recorded since the award’s revival, only behind Karasev’s 55 percent in 2024. The contest for second place among fans was close, with Karasev and Levnikov splitting the remaining votes.
According to referee expert Alexander Bobrov, Tanashev ranks second for the fewest officiating errors over the season, behind Sergey Ivanov. Combining the votes from clubs, fans, and experts, Tanashev achieved a record 14 points, the highest in the history of this annual recognition.
Tanashev’s emergence is particularly notable in a year when the Russian refereeing community faced challenges, including the departure of several officials linked to the “Torpedo case.” His success provides a positive sign for the future as the league looks to cultivate new talent in its officiating ranks.
As Tanashev continues to build on his promising start, other referees are encouraged to improve their performance in hopes of contending for the referee of the year title in upcoming seasons.