Russia captain Artem Dzyuba denies refusing call-up for national team because of Ukraine war

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Artem Dzyuba, the captain of Russia’s national soccer team, has refuted claims made by the team coach that he asked not to be picked for the national team amid the war in Ukraine. 

Dzyuba, who spoke out on social media earlier this month about the aggression against Russian athletes, said Tuesday that his decision not to join the national team in a friendly match was because of "family circumstances."

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Artem Dzyuba of Russia looks dejected after Denmark's second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match at Parken Stadium on June 21, 2021, in Copenhagen.  (Martin Rose - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

"I didn't not join the Russian national team because of political issues. It's about family circumstances, but I don't want to go into details," he said according to Reuters, who cited a local Russian media outlet. 

"It seems to me that there was a misunderstanding, (coach) Valery Georgievich (Karpin) misunderstood me, or his words were misinterpreted."

According to the Daily Mail, Karpin said Dzyuba asked not be called up for an intra-squad friendly against Russia’s U21 squad because of the "difficult situations in Ukraine." 

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Artem Dzyuba watches during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group B match against Finland on June 16, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Kirill Kudryavtsev - Pool/Getty Images)

"He assured me ... he really wants to play for the national team," Karpin said, according to local Russian media. "But now, due to the difficult situation in Ukraine, where he has many