The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked global outrage, with many professional athletes condemning the violence and expressing their desire for peace. However, the silence from Russia’s national football team has raised eyebrows. Despite being one of the most popular sports in the country, only four players from the national team play abroad, and none of them have spoken out against their homeland’s actions.
A Deafening Silence
National team captain Artem Dzyuba, the face of Russian football, finally broke his silence on Instagram, stating that he is against war but falling short of directly condemning Russia. This statement came after relentless calls for the team’s players to take a stand. Ukrainian star Andriy Yarmolenko, who plays for West Ham, publicly called out Russian players, urging them to “show their balls in real life” and unite against the invasion.
Bạn đang xem: The Silence of Russian Footballers Amidst the Ukraine Conflict
The Expats and Their Silence
Among the four players from the Russian national team who play abroad, Aleksei Miranchuk, who currently represents Atalanta in Italy, was targeted by Yarmolenko’s criticism. Aleksandr Golovin plays for Monaco in France, Denis Cheryshev is a member of Valencia’s squad in LaLiga, and Fedor Kudryashov joined Antalyaspor in Turkey. Despite their exposure to different perspectives in Western Europe, none of them have publicly spoken out against Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Gestures Speak Louder Than Words
The only player to make a direct statement related to the conflict is Aleksei Miranchuk. During a Serie A match, he refused to celebrate a goal, signaling his stance through this silent protest. His Ukrainian teammate Ruslan Malinovskyi also made a statement by revealing a message on his undershirt that read, “No war in Ukraine,” after scoring in the Europa League.
The Struggle to Speak Out
Xem thêm : The Latest Collection of Football Icons by adidas: A Nostalgic Tribute to Nineties Football
According to Monaco manager Philippe Clement, Aleksandr Golovin has been visibly affected by the conflict, struggling to concentrate on the game. However, he has not publicly addressed the situation. Meanwhile, Denis Cheryshev and Fedor Kudryashov have not given any indication of their opinions regarding the ongoing conflict.
The Pressure Mounts
As the days passed without any public condemnation, the pressure on Russia’s football stars increased. FIFA expelled the Russian national team from the Qatar World Cup, with Poland taking their place in the qualifying play-off final. The IOC and UEFA have also implemented bans on Russian athletes and teams, leading to their exclusion from international competitions. This includes the women’s Euros in England, where the Russian team was scheduled to play group matches.
FAQs
Q: Why haven’t Russian footballers spoken out against the invasion of Ukraine?
A: Despite the invasion causing outrage worldwide, only four Russian national team players currently play abroad, and none of them have publicly condemned their homeland’s actions.
Xem thêm : The Legends of Number 11 Football Players
Q: Which Russian footballers have made statements related to the conflict?
A: The only player to make a direct statement is Aleksei Miranchuk, who refused to celebrate a goal in a Serie A match. His Ukrainian teammate Ruslan Malinovskyi also made a statement by displaying a message on his undershirt.
Q: Have Russian footballers faced any consequences for their silence?
A: Yes, FIFA expelled the Russian national team from the Qatar World Cup, and the IOC and UEFA have implemented bans on Russian athletes and teams, leading to their exclusion from international competitions.
Conclusion
The silence of Russian footballers amidst the Ukraine conflict has raised concerns within the sporting world. While athletes from various disciplines have condemned the violence, the national team players remain silent. As pressure mounts and bans are imposed on Russian athletes and teams, it becomes increasingly vital for these footballers to address the situation and use their platform to contribute to peace and justice.
Image Source: Pixabay
Nguồn: https://www.pesstatsdatabase.com
Danh mục: Sport
