Heartbreak for Russian President Vladimir Putin As Team Gets Eliminated From Europa League

• Russian President Vladimir Putin is understood to be a Zenit St Petersburg supporter and he would not have been happy with their Europa League exit by Real Betis
• Zenit travelled to the Benito Villamarin stadium in Spain needing to overturn a 3-2 deficit from the reverse fixture in Saint Petersburg
• Chistyakov thought he had forced extra time when his header in the dying stages went in but was eventually ruled out by VAR

Vladimir Putin will obviously be disappointed after his favorite football team were knocked out harshly from the Europa League by Real Betis on Thursday, February 24.

Putin is believed to be a big fan of Zenit St Petersburg, but the Russian club were not so lucky in Europe’s second-tier competition after a late decision by VAR cost them a place in the next round.

Zenit St Petersburg had trailed 3-2 against Real Betis from the first leg in Russia and needed a overturn that result to book a spot in the next round.

Romelu Lukaku dropped for Lille clash at Stamford Bridge as concerns grow; Chelsea manager reveals why

Football

According to a report via Daily Star, VAR had to intervene for a foul after Dmitri Chistyakov thought he had forced extra-time with a very late header.

The result will certainly be a disappointing one for Putin who also witnessed Zenit drop from the UEFA Champions League to Europa after finishing third behind Juventus and Chelsea in group H.

Zenit drop Ukrainian defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy

Meanwhile, Zenit St Petersburg dropped veteran Ukrainian defender, Yaroslav Rakitskiy before their Europa League game against Real Betis.

According to The Sun, the 32-year-old had spoken out against Russian President Vladimir Putin after criticising the invasion of his home country Ukraine in an Instagram post.

The Europa League clash with Real Betis on Thursday, February 24 saw Zenit become the first Russian side in action since Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

UEFA to Move Champions League Final From Russia

Manchester City star attacks Vladimir Putin on Instagram after Russia declared war on Ukraine

Football

Earlier, Sports Brief reported UEFA is set to move the 2022 Champions League final away from the Russian city, St. Petersburg, following the country’s military attack on neighbours Ukraine.

An extraordinary meeting of the UEFA executive committee has been called by President Alexander Ceferin.

The meeting will be held on Friday, February 25, to discuss the geopolitical crisis and possibly the change of venue of the 2022 Champions League final.