The captain of the Russian soccer team, Artem Dzyubarequested that there be no “double standard” when it comes to sanctioning athletes after the elimination of Russia from the playoff for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, among other suspensions, and responded to the Ukrainian soccer player Vitaly Mykolenkowho accused him of keeping silent during the attacks on his country.
“Until recently I was reluctant to comment on events in Ukraine. I didn’t want to, not because I’m scared, but because I’m not a political expert and I’ve never gotten into it nor do I intend to (unlike a lot of political scientists and virologists who have recently appeared on the internet). But I, like any human being, have my own opinion. As this topic has attracted me from all sides, I will expose it, “wrote the Zenit St. Petersburg striker on his Instagram account .
“I am against double standards. Why can some people do anything, but all the dogs hang on us? Why has everyone always shouted that sport is out of politics, but at the first opportunity, when this is Russia, this principle is completely forgotten?”he pointed.
Dzyuba’s post came after a post on the same social network by Vitali Mykolenko, England’s Everton player, who assured: “While you remain silent, with your fellow idiots, peaceful citizens are killed in Ukraine. You will be locked in your cave for the rest of your life and, above all, that of your children. And I’m glad!”
That is why Dzyuba went out to respond to him on Instagram and asked not to be “discriminated by nationality”, while reiterating being “proud” to be Russian.
“It is doubly strange to hear all this from people to whom Russia has given much, much in their lives. All this only creates more negativity,” he said.
Russia was supposed to play on March 24 against Poland, for the World Cup playoff semifinal, but FIFA eliminated it from the competition as part of a sanction and a request from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
