Man City's Oleksandr Zinchenko criticises Russia captain Artem Dzyuba over Ukraine Instagram post

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.

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"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