Mostovoi banished from Russian squad

Russia have sent home veteran midfielder Alexandr Mostovoi for disciplinary reasons just 24 hours before their crunch Group A clash with hosts Portugal.

The 35-year-old was ordered to pack his bags after criticising coach Georgi Yartsev following Russia’s 1-0 defeat to Spain in the opening game of the competition.

Mostovoi had said: “We have carried out a lot of physical work in these days in Portugal it has been really hot and we have done too much, I don’t know why.

“We have not come here to play 20 games just three and that’s why we are working badly, we lacked freshness against Spain, our legs weren’t working and we don’t have any chance to qualify,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Now it seems that declaration has cost him his place in the squad.

“On Tuesday, Mostovoi will have to leave the squad because his declarations were unfortunate and lacking in ethics,” explained Alexander Chernov, the administrative director of the Russian squad.

“It would be unfortunate for him to continue.”

This incident almost certainly signals the end of Mostovoi’s international career as this year’s European Championship were destined to be his swansong in his country’s colours.