Russia captain Artem Dzyuba has responded to criticism from a number of Ukrainian Premier League stars over he and his international teammates’ silence on the invasion of Russia.
Russian captain Artem Dzyuba has responded to critic by other footballer for he and his team silent on the current invasion of Ukraine from Russia.
The latest player to criticize them is Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko who branded Dzyuba a ‘b****’ while he and West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko called Russian players ‘s***heads’ for not speaking out against Vladimir Putin.
Through is Instagram handle and writing in Russian language Dzyuba has now hit back at the criticism, taking aim at the Ukraine internationals currently in England, and also the sporting sanctions imposed on his home nation over the last week.
“Until recently, I did not want to speak on the topic of events in Ukraine,” wrote the Russia captain.
“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.
“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.
“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!”
