Russia captain Artem Dzyuba has been dropped from the national team after a video leaked online allegedly showing him 'masturbating.'
The video in question did the rounds on social media Saturday night and the man is believed to be Dzyuba, although there is no official confirmation.
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National team coach Stanislav Cherchesov has confirmed the forward will be missing for their next three games against Moldova, Turkey and Serbia however.
A statement read per Daily Mail: "The situation with Artem Dzyuba has nothing to do with the Russian national team from a sports point of view.
"Therefore, we see no need to give detailed evaluative comments on this matter.
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"However, the coaching staff of the national team understands very well that the national team should prepare for the November matches with Moldova, Turkey and Serbia in conditions of maximum concentration and not be distracted by extraneous things.
"We have always emphasised that everyone, both on and off the football field, must correspond to the level and status of a player in the national team.
"In this regard, today it was decided not to call Artem Dzyuba to the current training camp in order to protect both the team and the football player from excessive negativity and stress.
"Dzyuba will have time to normalise the situation. I hope that this topic will no longer be raised during the team's work at this training camp."
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The Zenit Saint Petersburg forward became a national hero after three goals at the 2018 World Cup, which saw host nation Russia reach the quarter-finals.
He is yet to comment on the video and will be replaced in the squad by Fedor Smolov.
Elsewhere in Russian football, controversy surrounded last week's Russia Cup clash between Rubin Kazan and Khabarovsk SKA.
Darko Jevtic was left bleeding and unconscious when striker Vladislav Bragin leapt, supposedly for a header and clattered into his opponent.
Bragin's forearm then body crunched sickeningly into the face of Jevtic, who stayed down.
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When Rubin manager Leonid Slutsky attempted to replace the injured player, Jevtic collapsed.
This led to fears that the 27-year-old had suffered a brain hemorrhage, but reports after the game stated he has a broken nose and very severe concussion.
To the surprise of everyone, referee Pavel Shadykhanov only punished Bragin with a yellow card.
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Football News, News, Football, Zenit, Russia
