Professional football player Artem Dzyuba, who captains the Russia national team and represented the country at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has been dropped from the national team after a video of him masturbating in bed went viral on social media.

Artem has been dropped from the Russian team for their matches against Moldova, Turkey, and Serbia. The team's manager Stanislav Cherchesov confirmed the same after the obscene video of the 32-year-old went viral. "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. 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."

Despite being dropped by Russia, however, Dzyuba still turned out for his club team, Zenit Saint Petersburg, on Sunday, though he was stripped of his captaincy. Following the match, the 32-year-old mentioned in a video message, "It wasn't the easiest match of my career. I almost couldn't hold back my emotions in the car on the way home. But I would like to say next, that I am not perfect, just like anyone else. I make mistakes. We're all sinners, unfortunately. I can only blame myself. In such moments when practically everybody turns their back on you, I'm unbelievably thankful to those people who are with me and who showed me support in a difficult moment, my friends and loved ones, in such moments you find out who your friends are. Thank you to the world for these lessons which are very painful and harsh for me, but I've only myself to blame. I will try my hardest not to break, despite today being extremely difficult. All the best and goodbye."

Оп, давай-давай! #дзюбаидинахуй #дзюба pic.twitter.com/4a7WsF1T9D

— Спартак - Red Bull (@spartakinpenza) November 7, 2020