Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has criticised Russia captain over his comments regarding his country's invasion of Ukraine.
Artem Dzyuba had stayed quiet regarding the Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine but broke his silence on Instagram yesterday. His post read: "War is terrifying. I am shocked by human aggression and hate, which is moving to a larger scale every day.
"I am against discrimination based on your nationality. I am not ashamed to be Russian.
"I am proud to be Russian. I don't understand why athletes have to suffer now.
"I am against double standards. Why are some allowed everything, but we are blamed for everything?
"Why does everyone always say that sport is apolitical, but with the first opportunity, when it concerns Russia, this principle is absolutely forgotten?"
Zinchenko, who represents Ukraine on the international stage, has responded to Dzyuba's controversial comments in an Instagram post of his own.
He replied: "We continue to promote truth. There are several important messages that I want to convey to the public, in particular the citizens of the aggressor's country and colleagues in the shop. There was a period in my football career when I played for FC UFA.
"It was a difficult but useful 1.5 years. I will always be grateful to this club for everything they have done for me.
"But I want to emphasize that I became a footballer in Ukraine. It was in my homeland that I received my football education, studied at academies and grew up.
"Therefore, to all those who accuse me that Russian football brought me up, I want to say once again: I am a pupil of the Academy of the beautiful Ukrainian city of Donetsk. Let's move on... your trump card argument is 'sport out of politics'.
"Indeed, sport should not be part of election campaigning, party races, slogans or PR platforms. But sport, like any sphere of life, cannot stand aside from the issues of war, aggression and death.
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"Everyone must fight evil, regardless of profession. Why do Ukrainian footballers call for football sanctions against the aggressor's country?
"Do we really want to deprive you of the opportunity to do your favourite thing? No.
"We use all methods to stop the aggressor country from its occupying ambitions. Evil must be punished in all areas that are accessible to society.
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"We will knock on your doors with sanctions with even greater aggression than you do when you cross the border of our state with weapons. Stopping the occupation is the main and only goal of all our actions.
"And the last. In the hands of Russian footballers multi-million audience.
"People love you, they support you and listen to your words. Therefore, to remain silent is a crime.
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"I know that opposition thinking is being punished in your country, but when the opposition becomes the majority, it begins to be in power. Therefore, all people who do not want death and hatred in the world must shout loudly and clearly about it.
"One should not be afraid of petty punishments when human life is at stake. Glory to Ukraine."
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