Russia’s World Cup legend and captain Artem Dzyuba dropped after ‘masturbation’ video leak goes viral
ARTEM DZYUBA has been axed from Russia's squad after a video allegedly showing him masturbating has been leaked online.
Video footage of a man, claimed to be the Zenit Saint Petersburg star, pleasuring himself in bed went viral on Saturday night.
Dzyuba became a national treasure at the 2018 World Cup when he scored three times to help his team reach the quarterfinals.
He was handed the captain's armband after the tournament by manager Stanislav Cherchesov.
But Cherchesov confirmed the 32-year-old has been dropped following the video claims.
Russia will be without Dzyuba for the upcoming games against Moldolva, Turkey and Serbia.
He said: "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.
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"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."
Dzyuba, who is team-mates with former Chelsea defender Yuri Zhirkov, has not yet commented on the alleged leaked video.
But it's not the first time that the former Spartak Moscow star has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.
He caused a stir when he was filmed simulating sex with team-mate Sardar Azmoun after a match.
Wearing only his pants, he grabbed Azmoun around the neck and appeared to thrust him from behind.
However Dzyuba was able to put the issue to one side as he scored a crucial goal in Zenit's win over Krasnodar and wildly celebrated.