Ukrainian forward of Bayer Leverkusen Artem Stepanov refused to go to the location of the youth national team of Ukraine (U-20), to which he was called up for the friendly matches in June. This was reported by the well-known Ukrainian commentator Viktor Vatsko.
“Dmitry Mikhaylenko (head coach of the Ukrainian national team (U-20), — note of the editor) called up our star from Germany Artem Stepanov, who reached the final of the youth championship of the German Bundesliga with “Bayer U-19”, where his team lost to “Cologne U-19”. Stepanov scored a total of 22 goals in 24 matches of the tournament.
Of course, the coaching staff of the Ukrainian national team (U-20) could not fail to call such a player. But there was no contact with Artem himself. No one from UAF could contact him for a long time. He did not answer calls or messages.
They tried to reach Stepanov’s family, but received only one response: “Everything is only through the club.” UAF, of course, sent a call for Stepanov to “Bayer”. They did so in advance, without missing any deadlines - everything was done on time. We must understand one important thing: these matches will take place on official FIFA dates. And “Bayer” confirmed in correspondence with UAF that they agree to release the player to the Ukrainian national team.
And you know what? Just last Saturday, Artem Stepanov wrote to the national team manager: “Good morning. I will not be able to come.” That’s it.
And I am curious how UAF will act in this situation. Because a player’s refusal to come to the national team on FIFA dates is a serious violation of regulatory norms. And in principle, UAF can demand serious sanctions against Stepanov,” Vatsko said on his author’s YouTube channel.
It should be noted that this is not the first time Stepanov has refused to come to the Ukrainian national team: in March of this year, the 17-year-old forward also ignored the call to the “youth team” (U-20).
The particular sharpness of this situation is added by the fact that the Ukrainian national team (U-20) is preparing for the World Championship (U-20), which will be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19 of this year.