Evgeny Lovchev: “We were besieged with all sides, and then you choose: either the Motherland or Galkin. I am a Russian person and will never betray Russia” – Football
Evgeny Lovchev spoke about the possible change of citizenship and athletes.
“When I got into the national team of the Soviet Union and played the anthem, the majestic anthem of the Soviet Union – it somewhere echoes the religious anthem – I stood there and I had goosebumps. Because for me at that moment it was definitely not and later it was not [мыслей о том]how much do I get paid.
Guys, catch it right: the choice is only – Motherland or money? There is nothing else. You practically all talk about some kind of prize money, prize money, prize money. And I choose my homeland.
And I understand why… I perfectly understand that we were besieged by all sides, and here you choose: either Motherland or Galkin (Maxim Galkin, recognized as a foreign agent in the Russian Federation – Sports.ru note)! Read what’s the matter? That’s the whole story! I don’t want to leave anyone [в покое] – those who betrayed their homeland and dumped from here, and those who change their citizenship.
Times have changed, definitely changed. I was the coach of the Russian mini-football team. And our team participated in the European Championship in Italy. The Italians are verified. Among the fourteen members of the Italian national team – twelve naturalized Brazilians. I ask the fans, they say: of course, it would be better for the Italians, but that’s okay. Time has changed, in different teams.
And I am a Russian person and will never betray Russia! Everything,” said the former Spartak and USSR national football player in the “There is a theme” program on Match TV.