Ex-player of Dynamo Kiev and the Ukrainian national team Viktor Leonenko was fired from the Ukrainian TV channel Futbol, where he worked as a commentator, for saying about Russian athletes.
They were said after a charity match in Kyiv, in which Alexander Aliev, Artyom Milevsky, Oleg Salenko, Andrey Bogdanov and Evgeny Konovalov also took part.
After the meeting, Leonenko, speaking with reporters, noted that he did not condemn the athletes for their silence about the situation in Ukraine.
According to the pupil of the Tyumen football, who also played for the Moscow Dynamo, and moved to Kyiv in 1992, they are simply afraid to express their opinion.
“When politicians get involved in sports, not only in civilian life, then there is no more sports.
Russian athletes will now only play at home.
I do not think that the athletes are to blame for something.
What to take from us? ”, The commentator admitted.
Many people in Ukraine did not like Leonenko's position.
In particular, Hryhoriy Kozlovsky, president of the Rukh football club, and Mikhail Kopolovets, the former midfielder of Karpaty, expressed rude dissatisfaction.
The latter even recommended Leonenko to leave the country together with the head coach of Dynamo Kiev Mircea Lucescu, who had previously condemned the sanctions against Russian athletes.
“My advice to you, go after the Russian ship and never come back!
And grab Lucescu, he is also out of politics, ”Kopolovets was indignant.
The leadership of the TV channel "Football" also did not support Leonenko.
However, no one personally voiced his claims.
A couple of days after the event, the CEO of the company, Alexander Denisov, announced the dismissal of a specialist in social networks.
“All his statements in an interview are just his position.
To justify silence is beyond cynicism.
After this interview, the Football channel ended cooperation with Viktor Leonenko," Denisov wrote.
However, the commentator himself believes that his dismissal is not at all connected with words addressed to Russian athletes, but with massive layoffs.
“I would like to hear it from him personally, and not from friends.
The interview he refers to is most likely an excuse.
On the TV channel "Football" now everyone is dispersed.
I think I just got laid off.
Denisov came up with the reason through an interview, although he could dial me and say everything.
I love openness.
We spoke with him two or three days ago.
He then told me the same thing: “What did you say there?”.
There was no mention of resignation.
I didn't say anything like that in the interview.
I am always in control.
I can say it now.
Any normal person understands that they do not solve anything, ”Leonenko said in an interview with FanDay.
At the same time, the commentator admitted that he was not angry with anyone and did not rule out the option of returning to the TV channel.
“As for Denisov, I’ll just draw conclusions.
Do not forget which of us is great - I, not him!
I had friendly relations with everyone on the TV channel.
I have no enemies,” Viktor added.
According to the specialist, he will not be left without work and may soon begin to cooperate directly with football clubs.
“I definitely won’t get lost.
I will think.
I wouldn't be surprised if they start calling me about a job right now.
I don't want to be on TV.
Most likely, I will be a consultant in the club, and I think not in one, ”Leonenko shared his plans.
In Russia, the dismissal of the commentator did not come as a surprise.
According to State Duma Deputy Nikolai Valuev, all events in Ukraine have long been without common sense.
“Stop wondering!
Are you suggesting that I discuss the lack of logic?
Remember one thing: everything that happens in Ukraine, even in these little things, is illogical!”
- quotes the words of Valuev "Sport-Express".
Earlier, Anastasia Shabotova was excluded from the Ukrainian national figure skating team.
The athlete was suspended on the eve of the World Championships in Montpellier, where she had a chance to bring a medal to the national team.
The girl was punished for liking the post of Evgeni Plushenko.
“I am by no means happy with what is happening in Ukraine, but this is an inevitable special operation.
Peace to all, thank you, ”the two-time Olympic champion said in the publication.