Former Russian Captain fears for Life after Criticizing Putin

Former Russian Captain, Igor Denisov is now fearful of his life after criticizing Putin.

The former Russian football star doesn’t know if he might end up being jailed or have breath his last after condemning the attacks by his country’s government regarding Ukraine.

In an interview, the former defensive midfielder criticized Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine describing it as a ‘catastrophic.’

And considering the Russian parliament recently passed a law that could see dissenters against the country’s military action against Ukraine  jailed for up to 15 years, the ex-footballer does have a reason to be fearful.

Denisov, 38, who captained the Russian team between 2012 and 2016, decisively shunned the new legislation to criticize the ongoing brutal conflict, as he felt he couldn’t stomach turning a blind eye to the crisis.

“These events are catastrophic,’ Denisov told Nobel. ‘It’s horrific. I am not sure if I will be jailed or killed for these words, but I am speaking as it is.” He said.

The former Russian Captain revealed he no longer feels a sense of pride in his country and had even wrote to President Putin pleading on him to halt the war, which saw thousands killed and millions driven from their homes.

Denisov, played for Russian clubs Zenit Saint Petersburg, Dynamo Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow during his club career, and was at great length, an influential player for the national team.

He is capped 54 times for Russia, playing between 2008 and 2016, while representing the nation at the 2012 European Championship and the 2014 World Cup.

So far, Russia has seen themselves banned from any international competition and in club tournaments organized for European clubs, like the Champions League or Europa competitions as a result of the war with Ukraine.