Mostovoi expelled by Russia
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Article summary
Veteran midfield player Aleksandr Mostovoi has been dismissed from the Russia camp after criticising the team in the Spanish press.
Article body
Press complaints
The 35-year-old has been accused of telling a Spanish newspaper that Russia's 1-0 defeat by Spain in their opening UEFA EURO 2004™ game was due to a strenuous training schedule favoured by coach Georgi Yartsev. The RC Celta de Vigo midfield player has been expelled from Russia's base camp at Vilamoura.
'He cannot stay'
"The unethical comments made by Aleksandr Mostovoi about Russia's chances of qualifying mean he cannot stay with the team any more," Yartsev said. Russia face hosts Portugal tomorrow in a crucial Group A match, with Yartsev expected to hand Mostovoi's playmaking role to Dmitri Loskov.
