Former Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky hits back at Antonio Conte after the Italian tactician said that ban on Russian athletes is not fair: ‘Wake up, they have to carry collective guilt.’
The former Juventus and Inter coach caused controversy over the weekend by claiming that sanctions against Russian athletes are not fair.
“I repeat, it’s very sad that this serious situation, this war between Russia and Ukraine, is affecting football and the sporting [world]. To know that Russian athletes are banned from competitions is very sad,” he said on Saturday.
“I think it’s not fair. I know very well the work that they do every day for this competition. You have to pay for this situation, I think it’s not right.”
Former Ukrainian tennis player Stakhovsky, who has joined his country’s army following Russia’s invasion, has hit back at the Tottenham coach on Instagram, posting the screen of a private message he sent to Conte.
“I am not sure you understand the situation in Ukraine. Otherwise, I cannot imagine you would make a comment which would sound like you are sad about Russian athletes and businessmen,” he wrote.
“Millions of Ukrainians had to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion. Millions have to leave through hell in their own cities while Russian planes and artillery bombard them. Please wake up. Russians will have to carry collective guilt for the destruction and killings they are committing in Ukraine.”