Kavazashvili criticizes Russia national team selection policy

Former Spartak player Anzor Kavazashvili sharply criticized the current policy for forming the Russia national team. In his view, calling up players who compete abroad brings no real benefit in practice. Kavazashvili said that legionnaires mainly focus on their club contracts and earnings, while the national team’s interests become secondary for them. “I’m not in favor of Karpin calling up our guys who are abroad. Why do it? They’ve already been sold, they’re making money there and should play there. They don’t care where they take part; for them it’s a complete minus,” Vprognoze quotes Kavazashvili as saying. The Russia national team has been suspended from FIFA-sanctioned international tournaments since February 2022. Karpin’s side have so far played only friendly matches.