Russian national football team captain Artem Dzyuba was dropped from side’s upcoming international fixtures against Moldolva, Turkey and Serbia after it was alleged that he featured in a viral video while masturbating. The team management said in order to avoid the skipper from ‘negative publicity’ he was dropped. Dzyuba also plays as a striker for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. Does Masturbation Make You Weak and Lose Weight? Everything You Should Know About This Myth.

“The team needs to prepare for November matches against Moldova, Turkey and Serbia in the most focused way possible, and can not allow itself to be distracted by external things,” head coach Stanislav Cherchesov said in a statement released by the Russian national team.

“Consequently, the decision was taken today not to call up Artem Dzyuba... in order to shield both the team and the football player himself from excessive negativity and tension,” Cherchesov added.

Viral Video

Interestingly, Fedor Smolov from Lokomotiv Moscow is likely to replace the skipper in the Russian squad as he is the only striker in the team’s reserve list for the November matches.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 09, 2020 12:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).