The Russian embassy has warned of retaliatory actions after Ireland joined dozens of countries in expelling a diplomat over the nerve agent attack in Britain.

The Russian ambassador to Ireland described the expulsion by Britain of 23 diplomats as a “hostile action” and said it would “not go unanswered”.

Lokomotiv Moscow are the club midfielder Alexei Smertin has been talking to about a possible move back to Russia, according to Lokomotiv president Valeri Filatov.