“F*ck War” – Russia’s First Openly Gay Soccer Star, Who Called Russian President ‘Putler’, Once Urged Other Athletes to Stand Against Violence Amidst Russia-Ukraine Crisis

The Russia-Ukraine war has severely impacted families across the globe. People are still struggling to earn a livelihood because they’ve been separated from their family members. A large number of Russian citizens have extended families that live in Ukraine. One such individual was Nadezhda Karpova.

Karpova is a professional Russian soccer player. She currently plays for RCD Espanyol, a soccer club based in Spain. Karpova was the first member of the Russian women’s team to speak against the war.

Over the last year, Karpova became famous for her uncensored remarks and opinions towards Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war.

What did Nadezhda Karpova say?

Last December, Karpova went viral after she called the President of Russia ‘Putler’. The soccer star uses Instagram as a platform to voice out her opinions. She posted, “You’re not just ‘toxic’, you are f****** fascists who have long had no place in today’s world, and I hope you’ll get what you deserve, because good always triumphs over evil”.

These words were in response to a joke made by Alexander Lukashenko, along with Vladimir Putin. The two Presidents met for the first time in three years in Belarus. During the meeting, Lukashenko joked about both of them being the most ‘toxic’ people on the planet. She ended her rant by subsequently posting a story that read, “F*ck Putler, F*ck war”.

In October, Karpova advised all her fellow Russian citizens against going to war. The soccer star did not want her people to join the army. Via her Instagram again, she posted, “If you don’t want to fertilize the land, don’t go to the military registration and enlistment offices, it’s not just ‘they call me—I’ll go. You will be sent to [commit] crime. In Ukraine, there are people like us—and you will go to kill them?”

Watch this story: “And That Was the Last Day That Ever Happened” : Old Video of Vladimir Putin Getting Tossed by Young Girl Goes Viral

Karpova’s outbursts on social media are understandable because the Russian soccer star has relatives staying in Ukraine.

Did the war impact soccer?

The Russia-Ukraine war had a negative impact on soccer as well. Firstly, Russia was immediately banned from the 2022 World Cup that was recently held in Qatar. FIFA the game, owned by EA also removed team ‘Russia’ from the game completely.

Chelsea F.C.’s former owner Roman Abramovich faced a lot of heat because of his relations with Putin. The U.K. government forced the Russian oligarch to put the club up for sale. However, Abramovich donated a gigantic amount to help the victims in Ukraine before leaving.

The English Premier League also showed their support by banning every EPL match from being broadcasted in Russia. Manchester United terminated a decade-long partnership with Aeroflot, a Russian airline. That deal was worth to be about £ 40 million.

The war also affected many soccer players in the Premier League. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vitaliy Mykolenko, both Ukrainian players, had a heartfelt moment during Manchester City’s match against Everton.

Read More: ‘Failing to Do Is Especially Inappropriate’ – Russian World Chess Champion Strongly Criticizes Novak Djokovic’s Views on Wimbledon Ban

Has the Russia-Ukraine war caused a serious dent in soccer? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.