Zenit St Petersburg drop Ukraine star Rakitskyi after defiant Instagram post slamming Russia
ZENIT ST PETERSBURG dropped Ukrainian Yaroslav Rakitskyi after he uploaded an Instagram post slamming Russia.
Last night's Europa League clash with Real Betis saw Zenit become the first Russian side in action since Vladimir Putin ordered a full scale invasion of Ukraine.
Rakitskyi, a 52-cap Ukraine international, has been a regular since joining Zenit from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2019 - but was left on the bench yesterday.
In the wake of Russia's invasion, Rakitskyi posted a Ukrainian flag on Instagram.
Alongside it, he wrote the message: "I'm Ukrainian! #PeaceinUkraine #StopWar🙏🏼"
Prior to last night, Rakitskyi had started all seven of Zenit's European matches this season.
Zenit are primarily owned by Gazprom, who themselves are owned by the Russian state.
Putin is also a supporter of the St Petersburg club.
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The Champions League final was set to take place at Zenit's Gazprom Arena on May 28 - but Uefa are set to strip them of hosting duties in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Manchester City's Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko publicly slammed Putin yesterday, writing in a now-deleted Instagram post: "I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature."
While Dynamo Moscow forward Fedor Smolov became the most high-profile active Russian player to denounce his nation's actions.
The 45-cap international, 32, wrote 'No war!!!' before adding a broken heart emoji and the Ukrainian flag.
The return of Ukraine's top flight has been delayed by 30 days after the country was plunged into a state of emergency.
But Dynamo Kyiv boss Mircea Lucescu has insisted that he will NOT return to his native Romania.
He said: "I will not leave Kyiv to return to Romania, I'm not a coward.
"I hope these big people with no brains will stop this war. I never thought this was possible."
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