 Consequently, on 6 March PFL decided to extend the First Division from 22 to 24 clubs, including Alania, Lokomotiv, Lada, and Mashuk-KMV.However, on 20 March the Russian Football Union finally decided to exclude Alania and Lokomotiv from the league.This decision was announced by the Professional Football League on 21 March, five days before the start of the First Division.