RUSSIA national team captain Artem Dzyuba has hit back at Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko after his comments slamming Russian stars for their silence on the crisis in Ukraine.
Mykolenko took aim at the Russian national team for not speaking out on Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Dzyuba has responded on Instagram after being called out by Mykolenko
Mykolenko slammed Dzyuba and his Russia team-mates for their silence on the invasion of Ukraine
Now Dzyuba has written his response, hitting out at the sporting sanctions imposed against Russia in recent days.
He also fired back at Mykolenko for personally calling out Russian athletes, and didn’t condemn the actions of President Putin.
Dzyuba wrote on Instagram: “Until recently, I did not want to speak on the topic of events in Ukraine.
“I didn’t want to, not because I’m afraid, but because I’m not an expert in politics, I never got into it and didn’t intend to (unlike a large number of political scientists and virologists who have recently appeared on the Internet).
“But like everyone else, I have my own opinion. Since I am being drawn to this topic from all sides, I will express it.”
Dzyuba went on to express he was against ‘discrimination’ but was ‘proud to be Russian’, and didn’t understand why sportspeople were being affected by the conflict.
Fifa have banned Russia from this year’s World Cup, while Uefa have suspended Russian teams from participating in European competitions.
Spartak Moscow have been booted out of the Europa League last-sixteen, with opponents RB Leipzig handed a bye to the next round.
The Champions League final has also been moved to Paris from Russian city St Petersburg.
Dzyuba continued: “I am against discrimination based on nationality. I’m not ashamed that I’m Russian. I am proud to be Russian. And I don’t understand why athletes should suffer now.
“I am against double standards. Why one can do everything, but all the dogs are hanged on us.
“Why is everyone always shouting about sports outside of politics, but at the first opportunity, when it comes to Russia, this principle is completely forgotten?”
“Again, war is scary. In stressful situations, people show their essence, sometimes negative. How much anger, dirt and bile has now poured out on all Russian people, regardless of their position and profession.
“Those thousands of people who write insults and threats – get in line! It is doubly strange to hear all this from people to whom Russia has given very, very much in their lives. All this only creates more negativity.”
‘SIT ON THEIR ASSES’
He finished by slamming people sitting ‘on their asses’ in England for saying ‘nasty things’ towards Russian people.
Dzyuba concluded: “The war will end, but human relations will remain. And it will be impossible to rewind. Remember this
“P.S. And to some colleagues in the shop who sit on their asses in mansions in England and say nasty things: this cannot offend us, we understand everything! Peace and goodness to all! #I’mAPatriotOfMyCountry #SportOutPolitics”
Dzyuba’s post came as a direct response to Mykolenko taking aim at him for his silence.
Mykolenko, who joined Everton from Dynamo Kyiv in January, blasted Dzyuba and his ‘s***head team-mates’ for their silence on the crisis.
The 22-year-old wrote on Instagram: “Whilst you remain silent b**** along with your s***head football team-mates, peaceful civilians are being killed in Ukraine.
“You will be locked in your dungeon for the rest of your life and most importantly the lives of your kids. And I’m glad.”
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