A football manager, Robert Moreno, has been dismissed from FC Sochi, a club in Russia’s football league, after ordering his team to remain awake for 28 consecutive hours following a training programme that he reportedly planned using ChatGPT. The incident, which drew swift condemnation from club officials and player representatives, has reignited debate over the use of Artificial Intelligence in professional sports and the limits of managerial authority.
The manager’s dismissal followed an internal investigation by the club after players raised concerns about extreme fatigue, physical distress, and the potential health risks associated with the prolonged period without rest. According to club statements and reports from those familiar with the situation, the training schedule was based on a plan generated with the assistance of the AI chatbot, without adequate modification or medical oversight.
The case has attracted global attention not only because of the unusual involvement of artificial intelligence but also because of the severity of the directive, which required players to remain awake for more than a full day after training activities had concluded.
What happened
The incident occurred during a scheduled training camp, where the manager introduced an intensive programme designed to improve tactical discipline, physical conditioning, and mental resilience. As part of the plan, players were instructed to complete training drills, tactical reviews, and recovery sessions in a tightly packed schedule.
According to multiple accounts, the manager then ordered the squad to remain awake for a total of 28 hours, including time spent in meetings, video analysis, light physical activity, and team discussions. Players were reportedly discouraged from sleeping during this period, with the stated aim of testing mental toughness and reinforcing discipline.
Concerns escalated when several players experienced extreme exhaustion, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Medical staff raised alarms, prompting club executives to intervene and suspend the programme.
Within days, the club announced that the manager had been relieved of his duties, citing unacceptable training practices and a failure to prioritise player welfare.
Use of ChatGPT in Planning
Central to the controversy was the manager’s admission that he had used ChatGPT to help design the training programme. According to reports, he input prompts related to endurance, discipline, and high-intensity preparation and then applied the generated output with minimal adjustment.
While artificial intelligence tools are increasingly used across sports for data analysis, scouting, and performance modelling, their application is typically overseen by specialists and integrated with medical and sports science expertise. In this case, the club concluded that the manager relied too heavily on AI-generated suggestions without subjecting them to professional scrutiny.
Club officials emphasised that the issue was not the use of technology itself, but the manner in which it was implemented. They stated that no AI-generated plan should override established medical guidelines or common-sense limits on human endurance.
Why the 28-Hour Directive Raised Alarm
Sleep deprivation is widely recognised as a serious risk factor in athletic performance and health. Sports medicine experts consistently warn that prolonged wakefulness can impair reaction time, decision-making, coordination, and cardiovascular function.
A 28-hour period without sleep exceeds what is generally considered safe in high-performance environments, particularly when combined with physical exertion. Player representatives noted that the directive could have led to serious injury or long-term health consequences.
The club’s internal review reportedly found that the training plan did not involve consultation with medical staff and failed to account for individual player conditions. This breach of protocol was cited as a key factor in the decision to terminate the manager’s contract.
Reaction from the Club
In a formal statement, the club said it had zero tolerance for practices that endanger player health or violate professional standards. The statement confirmed that the manager’s actions were inconsistent with the club’s values and internal regulations.
The club also announced a review of its internal processes, including clearer guidelines on the use of emerging technologies in training and decision-making. Officials stressed that innovation must be balanced with responsibility and expertise.
No disciplinary action was taken against players, and training schedules were immediately revised to allow for rest and recovery.
Player and Union Response
Player representatives welcomed the swift action, describing the incident as a clear example of why safeguards are necessary in professional sport. They reiterated that players should not be subjected to experimental or extreme methods without informed consent and medical approval.
Several players, speaking anonymously, said they felt unable to challenge the directive at the time due to concerns about selection and career consequences. This has renewed discussion about power dynamics between managers and players, particularly in environments where questioning authority is discouraged.
Player unions have since called for stronger protections and clearer reporting channels to ensure that welfare concerns can be raised without fear of reprisal.
Broader Debate on AI in Football
The case has sparked a wider conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in football management. AI tools are already used for opponent analysis, fitness monitoring, and injury prediction. However, experts caution that such tools are designed to assist, not replace, human judgement.
Sports scientists and coaches have pointed out that AI systems generate responses based on patterns in data, not an understanding of individual athletes’ limits or real-time conditions. Without proper context, AI-generated advice can be misinterpreted or applied inappropriately.
This incident has been cited as an example of how misuse of AI, rather than the technology itself, can create serious problems when decision-makers lack sufficient training or oversight.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
While no criminal charges have been announced, legal analysts note that clubs have a duty of care toward players. In extreme cases, failure to protect player welfare could expose organisations to legal liability.
Sports governing bodies may also take an interest in the case, particularly if it is found that existing regulations were breached. Some observers have called for leagues and federations to issue formal guidance on the use of AI in coaching and training.
Such guidance could include mandatory medical review of training plans, restrictions on extreme conditioning methods, and education for coaches on the limitations of AI tools.
The Manager’s Position
The dismissed manager has not issued a detailed public statement, but sources close to him suggest he believed the programme would build resilience and unity within the squad. Supporters of the manager argue that he did not intend to cause harm and that the situation reflects a lack of clear rules around AI use rather than individual misconduct.
However, critics counter that regardless of intent, the responsibility for player safety rests squarely with the manager. They argue that basic principles of sports science and human physiology should have prevented such a directive, regardless of how the plan was developed.
What this Case Highlights
The incident underscores several emerging challenges in modern football. It highlights the growing presence of artificial intelligence in decision-making, the need for clear boundaries on its use, and the importance of maintaining human oversight.
It also exposes ongoing issues around player welfare, authority, and accountability within professional sport. As training methods become more data-driven, clubs face the task of ensuring that innovation does not outpace regulation or common sense.
What Happens Next
The club has appointed an interim manager while it conducts a wider review of coaching practices. Medical staff have confirmed that affected players are recovering and that no long-term injuries have been reported.
Industry observers expect the case to be referenced in future discussions about technology governance in sport. It may also influence how clubs train managers to integrate AI tools responsibly.
For now, the sacking serves as a clear warning that while technology can enhance performance, it cannot replace professional judgement, medical expertise, or the fundamental duty to protect player wellbeing.
