Tennis Star Sergiy Stakhovsky Condemns Antonio Conte For Defending Russian Athletes: You Don't Understand The Situation In Ukraine

JAKARTA - Former Ukrainian tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky has criticized Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte. Conte controversially said at the weekend that sanctions against Russian athletes were unfair.

It comes after a Russian football club was expelled from the UEFA competition and the national team was barred from qualifying for the World Cup later this year due to the invasion of Ukraine.

However, the 36-year-old former Stakhovsky hit back by sending an angry message to the Italian football coach, which he posted a screenshot of on Instagram.

Stakhovsky, who left his wife and three children in Hungary to go and help the Ukrainian army, urged Conte to "wake up" in his long message.

"I'm not sure you understand the situation in Ukraine. Otherwise, I can't imagine you would make comments that sound like you're sad about Russian athletes and businessmen," Stakhovsky wrote.

“Millions of Ukrainians had to leave their homes because of the Russian invasion. Millions had to go through hell in their own cities while Russian planes and artillery bombarded them. Please wake up. Russia must bear the collective blame for the destruction and killings they carried out in Ukraine."

Conte sparked controversy on Saturday by voicing his sympathy for the sanctioned Russian footballer and sportsman. The former Inter Milan coach also called for the separation of politics and sport.

“I repeat, it is very sad that this serious situation, the war between Russia and Ukraine, is affecting football and (the world) sport. Knowing that Russian athletes are banned from competition is very sad," said the Tottenham Hotspur coach.

"I think it's unfair. I know very well the work they do every day for this competition. You have to pay for this situation, I don't think it's right."