Russia captain Dzyuba dropped over viral masturbation video
Russia Captain Artem Dzyuba has been dropped for the upcoming games against Moldova, Turkey and Serbia following a leaked video, allegedly showing him masturbating.
Dzyuba, who became a national treasure at the 2018 World Cup when he scored three times, was handed the Russia captaincy by Stanislav Cherchesov.
It’s alleged that Zenit St Petersburg star, was seen pleasuring himself in the clip, which was leaked online.
And he has now been left out of the Russia team with manager Cherchesov explaining the decision.
Manager Cherchesov in his reaction said ” we see no need to give detailed evaluative comments on this matter, adding “the coaching staff of the national team understands very well that the national team should prepare for the November matches with Moldova, Turkey and Serbia in conditions of maximum concentration and not be distracted by extraneous things”
“We have always emphasised that everyone, both on and off the football field, must correspond to the level and status of a player in the national team.
“In this regard, today it was decided not to call Artem Dzyuba to the current training camp in order to protect both the team and the football player from excessive negativity and stress.
Dzyuba will have time to normalise the situation. The coach however hoped that the issue will not be raised in camp while the team is preparing saying “I hope that this topic will no longer be raised during the team’s work at this training camp.
Dzyuba who has scored 61 goals in 138 appearances for Zenit St Petersburg has equally scored 26 goals for the Russian national team in 47 appearances.
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Russia take on Moldova in a friendly on Thursday before delving into double header UEFA National league clashes with Turkey and Serbia. Russia hosts of the last world cup began campaign with a 5-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia in the opener; they made it to the quarterfinals before being edged out by eventually finalists Croatia.