Mykolenko hits out at 'silent' Russian players

Good for you Vitaly. Dzuba and many others have a lot of influence on the Russian people. I saw Russian tennis player use his profile to deliver a 'Stop The War' message. The football community could do it too.

No point mincing words, Vitaliy.

Clearly many Russian and Russian ex-pats are scared of Putin's gang with good reason.

Mykolenko has to careful. He is playing for a team sponsored by Usmanov, owned by his associate, Moshiri, with a Chairman who is a a associate of Moshiri, being part owner, heading a Board with the third highest renumeration in the Premier League. In other words, benefiting from Russian associations, as he himself is.

The Russian players he is attacking in all probability have no such associations, being only professional footballers. It is up to them whether they want to express their views outside football.

I would advise Mykolenko in his situation not to, and certainly not to call the kettle black. He could be asked why he will be continuing to play for a club with such associations, even if they are arm's length.

During a sleepless night which saw February transformed to March, I came to the conclusion that our revered chairman, Bill Kenwright, had once again dropped Everton deep in the dirty brown.

True, he had answered our prayers – after 25 years – that someone would be found to bolster our club's finances. (And, in the process, bolster his own!) But, as each day passes, its origin becomes increasingly cloudy and its donor equally repellent.

Like all fellow Evertonians, I was proud of the pre-match show of support for the victims of the Ukraine tragedy and would expect nothing less from our club's CEO. Whether it will cost the jobs of all who put the tribute together remains to be seen but now the Esk has exposed the closeness of our benefactors to the Russian Viper, it looks that, yet again, Everton backed a loser.

Accordingly, I have determined that, until all involvement of Kenwright and his Russia-aided money boxes is terminated, Everton FC will be as dead to me and, if we are relegated and construction of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock halted next week, it will be as God's Judgement on the seediest chapter of our history.

Derek, it is up to Bill to manage this situation. He was the one that wanted the takeover on his terms. He was probably allowed to do so in the event should such ownership and connections become incompatable with authorities, because he would be able to deal with it. He is being paid handsomely to do so as Chairman.

The suspension of USM sponsorship is with the agreement of the parties involved and no doubt Bill will with his luvvie persona be working on the authorities to get Everton through these challenging times. Funding for the new stadium will continue via Monaco.

I'm not usually in favour of footballers doing anything but the job they are paid to do – shut up and do what we pay you for, I say.

But, if they are going to go off the reservation, then by all means do so like Mykolenko has done – speaking in your own voice and not the voice of the club's lawyer or your social media team's carefully tailored spin.

The kid is in a fierce frame of mind. From the Mirror:

Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko has branded Artem Dzyuba a "bitch" in a withering message to the Zenit Saint Petersburg forward.

Mykolenko, a Ukraine international, accused Russia captain Dzyuba and his "shithead teammates" of "remaining silent" in the wake of Vladimir Putin's invasion of his homeland.

In an impassioned Instagram story, the Toffees left-back tagged Dzyuba and wrote: "Whilst you remain silent bitch along with your shithead football teammates, peaceful civilians are being killed in Ukraine.

"You will be locked in your dungeon for the rest of your life and most importantly the lives of your kids. And I'm glad."

Dzyuba responded with crapola:

"Until recently, I did not want to talk about the events in Ukraine. Not because I'm scared, but because I'm not a political expert. But I have an idea, just like everybody else. I'm against all forms of war. War is scary.

"I am against war, but I am also against discrimination based on nationality. I'm not ashamed to be Russian. I'm proud to be Russian. Why does everyone want politics to be outside of football, but forget this when it comes to Russia?

"I repeat, war is scary. In stressful situations, people show their true essence, sometimes negative. How much anger, dirt and bile has now been poured on all Russian people, regardless of their position and profession?

"The war will end but human relations will remain. And it will be impossible to rewind back. Keep this in mind."

Dzyuba ended his Instagram post with what appeared to be a pointed message to Mykolenko, adding: "PS. To some colleagues who sit on their asses in mansions in England and say nasty things: we cannot be offended by this, we understand everything! Peace to everybody!"

Ukraine 1, Russia 0.

Can someone check if Dzyuba is on an account here under an alias? I feel like I've been reading some of his posts on TW.

Seb #6,

If I were Vitaliy, I wouldn't stop to choose my words too carefully. The more notable Russians who are prepared to be brave, the less they have to worry about.

Mike

Dzyuba is a proven wanker - literally- he accidentally leaked a video of himself in the act in 2020 when Putin publicly came to his defense and said it was “a learning experience.”

As much as I dislike Bill Kenwright, he can't be held account for Usmanov.

I'm sure the teary one had no idea war was going to break out in Ukraine but... the best thing he can do, IMO, is to come out with a statement decrying Russia.

After all, he loves a media opportunity.

Okay, Mr Mykolenko, can we talk about the Azov Battalion? Do you support that?

Okay, Mr Rouse – let's talk about you using a tiny minority of wankers to justify the invasion of a country, the killing of families and making 1.5M innocent people flee for their lives. Wanker.

Phil @12,

Right now I don't think anyone in Ukraine will care about the beliefs of people fighting alongside them, just that they are fighting together for their freedom.

Your argument Rouse is like saying “All football fans are anti-Jewish because a hundred fans chanted something at Spurs, so let's kill their families and bomb their houses”.

Azov clearly allows scumbags to be part of it, and the authorities should stop that (I'm sure they would if they weren't fighting off foreign armed “separatists”) commentators believe about 10-20% of the battalion are white supremacists… up to 500 out of 2,500 men. Transferred onto an army of over 170,000 men, it represents a racist element of perhaps 0.02%. Are you really stupid enough not to think a similar % wouldn't exist in your invaders?

I can't be arsed starting a Sunday out with this kind of debate, so just going to finish by calling you – and anyone else excusing Russias actions in any way – an utter twat.

@ 12, garbage comment.

I have work colleagues suffering under fire in Ukraine, so you can shut up you complete prick.

Dave #11,

Bill went to great lengths to find his billionaire. As long as the billionaire accepted his terms and gave him the money he wanted, he did not care one iota where the money came from and how it was gotten. He also has given the impression he would be able to smooth out any bumps in the road regarding their ownership directly or indirectly and legitimised any monies provide to the club.

As Chairman, he has not come out against their involvement or monies sources to Everton in any way.

BTW, The Azov Battalion are part of the Ukraine National Guard. Yes, a government pro-Nazi militia. Get your heads out of your arses and do some research on it.

Phil, like most ignorami you've ignored the fact that I've given you research that you've subsequently ignored with your garbage come back. You really are a c**t excusing Putin killing families.

As they say, opinions are like arseholes: everybody's got one & everybody else's stinks. I don't much care what views people wish to share here, regardless of whether I agree with them or vehemently disagree. However, I don't think the unnecessary personal abuse adds anything to the debate. To my mind, if you can't be civil on TW then it's a real shame you're on here at all.

Dennis, if you think I need to be civil to a Putin apologist, you can fuck yourself too.

I think you should be civil to all on here, Gary. If you're incapable of doing so, as seems to be the case, then it's a real shame you're posting here at all.

A “real shame” I can't be civil to someone trying to justify the bombing of families and the displacement of 1.5m in less that a week? What a Gobshite.

What on earth do you think you achieve by abusing people here on TW, Gary? If the dreadful situation in Ukraine disturbs you so much, I do hope your outrage manifests itself on a more productive manner than abusing people here.

Don't expect to achieve anything dickhead, and if the situation in Ukraine compels you to defend those defending Putin, I do hope you're stupid enough to do so to someone from outside your keyboard.

Jerome
To become owner of Everton you have to be the majority share holder.
At the time Moshiri became owner he bought shares from R..Earl who held 24% of shares, he also bought the shares from T.Woods who had 19% of shares this gave him 43% of shares and as B.K. only held 26% of shares he became owner of Everton. Moshiri also bought shares from A. Abercrombie and the bulk of Lord Granchester shares. He bought all but 5%of B.K shares.
As Everton shares are closely held, they are privately traded and not often become available, the transactions being through the clubs brokers.
With the amount of shares Moshiri had available to him, there is no way B.K could hold a gun to his head to become owner so Moshiri kept him as chairman because he wanted to.
I am no fan of B.K. but I don't believe that Moshiri had to accept any terms to become owner.
I may be wrong as I just wrote what I read, maybe you can enlighten us if you have more information.

I find extremely sad that the innocent Ukrainian people are in the middle of this. What is the western governments answer to this? Punish the Russian civilians who have nothing to do with this, and send the untrained Ukrainian civilians weapons to fight against trained Russian soldiers.

What a sad response. People are fighting for their lives in Ukraine & you want to come on here & pick a pointless fight & make false accusations, what utterly shameful behaviour on your part Gary.

Phil Rouse,
What I see on the telly is simply soul destroying, babies dying in the hands of their parents - it is simply fucking awful
Ukraine do not want to be part of Russia, so why the fuck has Putin invaded.
Every country in the world will have extreme groups of some kind - what is your point exactly?
This war is going to escalate and if the madman Putin fires a fucking rocket in your direction you might get the picture !
War, what is it good for - ABSOLUTLEY FUCKING NOTHIN!

Oliver, the people in the east actually do want to be part of Russia. They have been shelled by their own government for the past 8 years. These facts are easily confirmed by doing a little research.

are you referring to Donbass region ?

Yes mate

No, Phil, that is false. You are parroting Putin's pretext for invasion. Your "research" on social media is Russian propaganda. If Russians in Eastern Ukraine have been under unjustified attack for eight years, with genocide by Nazis, why has there been no outpouring of rage among the Russian people? Why is there no widespread public support for this invasion? Because even most Russians don't believe Putin's propaganda. How sad that you do.

Now, for some real and compelling perspective, one from each side, Russian and Ukrainian:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/opinion/russia-ukraine-war.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/opinion/ukraine-russia-invasion.html?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20220306&instance_id=55022&nl=the-morning®i_id=68021995&segment_id=84791&te=1&user_id=991aea1fd1abda343a9361a42442d9a3

I find it amazing that some people will believe the western legacy media's narrative, without actually doing any of their own research and thinking objectively. How many times do media groups like the BBC lie to you, before you no longer believe their official narrative?

Mike, do you think it's acceptable that NATO want to set up shop on the Russian border, after they said that they wouldn't do so. NATO should've disbanded after the fall of the Soviet Union for a start. How would you like it if Russia or China set up a base in Ireland?

Phil, I find it "amazing" that your "research" and "thinking objectively" has you reaching an opposite conclusion from virtually the entire world, yet you seem unaware.

A United Nations resolution a few days ago condemned Russia's invasion. Only four nations out of 193 supported Russia: Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria. In other words, Phil Rouse is standing proud for a point of view shared by Putin, Bashar al-Assad and Kim Jong-un. Impressive company.

So the thought that it might be you who has it wrong, and the rest of the world has it right, has not quite yet occurred to you?

I am not making a political point, just making an observation.
Ukraine football fans are known for racist antics, covered well in this piece in the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/01/euro-2012-ukraine-football-racism-sol-campbell
I found it rather ironic that Premiership players walked out on to the field draped in Ukraine flags and wore Ukraine flag colours on their sleeves and then took a knee against racism in sport.

Mike, no comment on my NATO post?

Mike, these governments that are condemning Putin's actions, are very quiet about the atrocities being committed in Yemen and Palestine by their allies. Reeks of hypocrisy to me.

Phil,
Nowhere near a majority of the Donbass region want to be part of Russia from what I can gather.
The only point you make I could possible be with you on is the arming of untrained civilians to fight who have never held a gun in their life - in saying this I have the utmost respect for those who are prepared to fight against the better trained aggressors!

Putin has started a terrible war - of that i'm sure we can all agree on.

Oliver, The majority of the population in the Donbass region are of Russian descent. Would you want to be part of the country that is shelling you? For what I have seen with western independent media talking to the Donbass locals. They do not want to be part of Ukraine.

Phil #38, no comment on my posts about the UN vote, Russian public opinion or the fact that you share a point of view with some of the most repressive, murderous dictators on earth?

Ed #37, you are correct that there is considerable irony there. I noted also the reports of white Ukrainian refugees being given preference on evacuation trains while Africans and Indians have been kept off. Also, nonwhite refugees have been subject to abuse and even attack when they reached Poland.

Mike, I won't waste my time commenting on the elitist controlled UN's vote. You really think the UN gives a rat's about you? Have a look at UN Agenda 21/30, the old name for The Great Reset. Oh, that's just a conspiracy right?

I think we all can agree on, politics should be kept well away from sport.

Phil,
If I'm correct with what I am reading.
The Russian army entered into Donbass region illegally in 2014 / 2015 and it is acknowledged that around 7% of the region was under Russian control.
Putin armed various separatists movements.
This is the reason for that war.
Those Russians who wanted to be part of Russia should have moved there side of the border.

However, it seems to me that you are not even playing devils advocate here
As I say again Russia right now is killing 100s of innocent people in Ukraine who clearly want to have fuck all to do with them.
Putin is ex KGB so is 100% old school Russian, there lies a big part of the problem.

Oliver, I am actually neutral on this. But, I am able to see both sides of the debate. All Putin really wanted was for NATO to uphold their part of the deal, and for Ukraine to be not be part of something that really should have been disbanded after 1991.

It's great to see the we finally have healthy debate, without the abuse. Yeah, I admit that my initial posts did start from the wrong direction.

“Whats Our Name?”

“ Everton!”

.

The sad thing about war is it is started by someone in power sitting in his ivory tower and not having the balls or the backbone to get out and do anything, sends in troops to do his dirty work.
He is remorseless to who suffer, whether it be armed forces or civilians, from new born to seniors.
Putin is aware that the western world cant send in armed forces as it could rebound and start a nuclear war, then no one wins..
We can only hope that someone either assassinate him or the Russian people find out what is happening to them when all the sanctions kick in and rise up against him, but this will never help the Ukrainian people at this time.
No matter what the reasons or history of this conflict, no one wins in a war, and as just citizens, you can just admire the courage of the people defending their chosen country.

Phil, 1
Ukraine have been trying to become a member of Nato from 2012 or so I think.
They were encouraged by Nato from that time but it was clear that the very real conditions and requirements that would allow a country to be considered or join Nato - Ukraine were still working on!
Being cynical, it looks like Nato control centre knew that Putin would not be happy and were hoping that Ukraine's new political presidency could forge a better relationship with Russia other than risking falling out with Putin and having to deal with a war, which has happened anyway.
I've just read that USA intelligence secretly briefed Nato intelligence during Trump's time that he intended to withdraw the US from their alliance completely if he won a second term.
So did Trump, given his best pals act with Putin and his attempted blackmail of Zelenskyy know this always going to happen ? - if that all makes sense !Link

Phil Rouse, based on your posts in this thread, some questions for you.

Do you think you are the only one on TW (and beyond) who has acknowledged the existence of Neo-Nazi militias in Ukraine and their part in atrocities in the east of the country? You aren't.

Do you believe Nazism in Ukraine is widespread and popular? If so, how do you explain that the right extremist candidate who stood against Zelensky for the Presidency only received 1.6% of the vote?

Do you believe that Putin is justified in his ‘military operation' to ‘de-Nazify Ukraine from its drug-crazed neo-Nazi government?'

Do you believe Zelensky, born into a Jewish family and elected to the Presidency winning 76% of the vote, is sympathetic to Ukrainian Neo-Nazis?

Are you sure, as you claim, that Ukrainians in the east ‘actually do want to be part of Russia?' The scenes from the front in the last 10 days rather tell a different story. There is powerful resistance and resentment at Russian occupation. Certainly, there is a sizeable number of the population close to Russia's border who identify more strongly with Russia rather than Ukraine. Can you quantify what proportion, or if that inclination has changed with the bloody events of recent days?

It is, as you said, ‘extremely sad that the innocent Ukrainian people are in the middle of this.' And who do you hold as primarily responsible for that?

As to your question ‘What is the Western governments' answer to this?' The answer, of course, is far-reaching sanctions. You say this unfairly ‘punishes the Russian civilians who have nothing to do with this.' Do you think that 40 million Ukrainians would happily swap places with them rather than endure what they are experiencing right now?

You question Western governments ‘sending untrained Ukrainian civilians weapons to fight against trained Russian soldiers'. Nobody has coerced them to stand and fight. They are as angry as hell and fighting out of patriotism to preserve their homeland. Or do you think homemade Molotov cocktails alone are going to hold back the might of the Russian military?

You tell us you are ‘amazed' that people believe ‘the Western legacy media's narrative, without actually doing any of their own research and thinking objectively.' That ‘media groups like the BBC lie to you.'

My experience is that there are plenty of critical thinkers and observers on TW that seek out multiple sources rather than meekly accept any ‘official' line from mainstream media alone. Care to share with us links (as others frequently do) to the sources that make you so much better informed than those you describe as 'having their heads up their arses'?

Whilst on the subject of reporting on the conflict, have you paid much attention to what is happening to the media, dissenting voices and how it is being reported (or rather, not reported) in Russia?

On your question of Nato expansion ever closer to the Russian border, again, plenty of TW commentators have commented on how that has impacted on and influenced Putin. Similarly, there have been critical comments of Western occupation and atrocities down the ages. Are you saying that such intervention by the West somehow justifies and vindicates Putin's invasion of Ukraine?

Finally Phil, do you really believe as you stated that the UN is ‘controlled by [unnamed] elitists'? That the overwhelming votes of condemnation against Russia's acts of aggression this week were rigged by ‘the elitists'? That the UN is just another arm of ‘The Great Reset'?

Just interested in hearing your ‘neutral, better researched and informed' opinion, Phil.

Well done Jay Wood and many others for submitting genuinely articulate information and adding a lot of information that is not widely known. There is such a lot of information that should be known to us and is hidden by the 'privileged few'. Nothing compared to the way Vlad the murderer over there conducts 'business'.

On the subject of Mykolenko being outspoken and the 'rights and wrongs' of what he did, I simply add my comment to the excellent debate so far: we all need to "Walk in the shoes of the fisherman". He has my support and more power to your elbow, Myko lad.

I finish my comment with the personal hope Vlad the Butcher contracts AIDS, Covid, Diabetes mellitus, Cirrhosis, Smallpox, Malaria et cetera. Hopefully none of these will actually kill him for a considerable time.

Phil @ 34

Spot-on comment.

I certainly won't be arguing with anyone about ''world leaders'', shit-heads the lot of them. It's ALWAYS the innocent that suffer.

As for the Russian players not speaking out, a long stretch inside is probably not that appealing.