Almir Izmailovich Kayumov (Russian: Альмир Измайлович Каюмов; 30 December 1964 – 7 August 2013) was a Russian association‑football defender and later a football referee. He played for several clubs in the Soviet Union, Russia, South Korea, and Finland, and was a member of the Soviet Top League champion team of 1987. After retiring as a player, Kayumov became a referee in Russian domestic football.
Early life and education
Kayumov was born in Moscow, then part of the Soviet Union. Details of his early education and youth football development are not extensively documented in reliable sources.
Playing career
| Years | Club | Appearances (Goals) |
|---|---|---|
| 1981–1987 | FC Spartak Moscow | 48 (0) |
| 1988–1989 | FC SKA Rostov‑on‑Don | 46 (0) |
| 1990 | FC Rotor Volgograd | 5 (0) |
| 1991 | FC Spartak Moscow | 0 (0) |
| 1992 | Kuopion Palloseura (Finland) | 26 (0) |
| 1993 | Daewoo Royals (South Korea) | 16 (0) |
| 1994–1995 | FC Lada Togliatti | 50 (1) |
| 1996 | FC Dynamo‑Gazovik Tyumen | 17 (0) |
| 1997–1998 | FC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk | 38 (0) |
Kayumov primarily played as a defender. He participated in six UEFA Cup matches for Spartak Moscow during the 1986–87 season.
Refereeing career
Following his playing retirement, Kayumov served as a football referee in Russian leagues. He was active in this role throughout the 2000s. In November 2009, Russian media reported that he had attempted suicide by jumping from an apartment window; police negotiators intervened, and he was subsequently hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. Kayumov later denied that the incident was a suicide attempt.
Death
On 7 August 2013, Kayumov died in Smolensk, Russia, after being struck by a GAZelle truck. Police investigations concluded that his death was a suicide, as surveillance footage showed him intentionally stepping in front of the vehicle. He was 48 years old.
Honours
- Soviet Top League champion: 1987 (with FC Spartak Moscow)
- Soviet Top League runner‑up: 1984, 1985
- Soviet Top League bronze: 1986
- Soviet Cup winner: 1992
Legacy
Kayumov is remembered both for his contributions on the field as a defender in several domestic and international clubs and for his later work as a referee in Russian football. His career is noted for its breadth across multiple leagues and for the tragic circumstances of his death.
References: Wikipedia article “Almir Kayumov”, various football statistical databases, and Russian news reports concerning his attempted suicide (2009) and death (2013).
