Oleksandr Zinchenko calls for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be BANNED from top level sport

In a recent interview, OIeksandr Zinchenko called for the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes from top sport.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arsenal star has been using his platform to ease the pain of his stricken compatriot.

And he continued that trend by appearing in an interview with TalkTV host Piers Morgan, where he discussed his thoughts on the situation.

During their conversation, the duo discussed a range of topics, but Zinchenko began by explaining how he was “lost” in the first few weeks of the invasion.

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy to adapt to this. But unfortunately for all of us, footballers playing abroad, it is not easy to be far from home and see all these scary things happen.

Lifelong Arsenal fan Piers Morgan asked Zinchenko how the invasion has affected his approach to football

“I remember the first few weeks well, I just lost my head. I didn’t know where I was, where I was driving… it was like being in space.’

In the weeks and months following Russia’s initial invasion, Zinchenko served as a beacon of support for Ukraine from the Premier League.

By regularly waving the Ukrainian flag in the air at the end of matches or making impassioned speeches, the defender has maintained strong support for the country.

And while Zinchenko has remained vocal, the defender insisted he was not satisfied with the silence of Russian and Belarusian athletes.

When questioned by Morgan, the Arsenal defender admitted he would not shake hands with athletes from those countries and called for them to be banned from the sport.

He said: ‘I will never accept their response. I have to be honest. You can say ‘they didn’t do anything’. Yes they did, they didn’t respond.

“They have millions of followers behind them and opportunities to speak out. If you have 10 million followers on Instagram saying “Stop it,” some of those 10 million people will spread it. And it will eventually work. But if no one speaks up because they’re afraid, don’t call us brothers. Never again.

The Arsenal defender gave his opinion on Wimbledon’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players – such as Daniil Medvedev (above) – to play in the competition

The Ukraine international admitted he was “lost” in the weeks following the invasion

“I am one of those Ukrainians they don’t like to see at the highest level in any sport. They certainly shouldn’t be allowed to compete. Why? How many bombs and missiles have been sent from Belarus?’.

The Arsenal star was then asked if he would take part in the war in Ukraine if asked. He said: “There will come a time when everyone will be there. It’ll be the last call or something or whatever.

‘It’s going to be a phone call. We’re going, all of us, we’re going there. Everyone will go. Naturally. At the same time, I’m thinking about how I’m much more helpful from here right now.

“But you never know what’s going to happen. How many people have been killed by this invasion? I don’t see myself hiding anywhere.’

Zinchenko and Andriy Shevchenko (right) pictured with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (center)

The defender also took time to share a message with the rest of the world as Ukraine continues its fight against Russia.

“I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you and would like to send another message to the rest of the world. I know some people are tired, I know this.

‘But why? It’s so important to keep going, to keep pushing, to be together, to stay together, to win this terrorist invasion.”

The defender also recently returned to Ukraine and revealed the experience with Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel.