Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has come under wrath from Sergiy Stakhovsky after the former remarked on the 'unfair' treatment that Russian athletes are being subjected too in light of their country's war with Ukraine.
Speaking on Saturday, Conte was sympathetic towards Russian athletes who have been impacted by their countries invasion of Ukraine last month. For example, Russian national and club teams were expelled from international competitions on February 28 'until further notice' following the attacks. FIFA and UEFA did not specify their legal reasons.
The Italian's viewpoint has incensed Ukrainian Stakhovsky who took to Instagram to directly message Conte, condemning his words and telling him to 'wake up' to the bigger picture.
Stakhovsky is currently assisting the Ukrainian army defence after leaving his wife and three children in Hungary as his homeland remains under siege from Russia president Vladimir Putin's attacks.
Sharing his message via an Instagram story, the enraged former tennis player wrote to Conte: 'I am not sure you understand the situation in Ukraine.
'Otherwise, I cannot imagine you would make a comment which would sound like you are sad about Russian athletes and businessmen.
'Millions of Ukrainians had to flee their homes because of the Russian invasion. Millions have to leave [sic] through hell in their own cities while Russian planes and artillery bombard them.
'Please wake up. Russians will have to carry collective guilt for the destruction and killings they are committing in Ukraine.'
The 36-year-old's enraged message was fuelled by Conte's words after Spurs' 3-2 defeat at Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Conte, 52, voiced his support for Russian athletes who have been sanctioned amid the invasion of Ukraine, appearing to urge for sport and politics to not be mixed together.
'I repeat, it's very sad that this serious situation, this war between Russia and Ukraine, is affecting football and the sporting [world],' the former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss said.
'To know that Russian athletes are banned from competitions is very sad.
'I think it's not fair. I know very well the work that they do every day for this competition. You have to pay for this situation, I think it's not right.'