The coach of the Italian volleyball team complained about the absence of Russian teams.

The head coach of the women's national team of Italy expressed concern over the absence of Russian teams and national squads at international tournaments

The head coach of the Italian volleyball team, Julio Velasco, expressed doubts about the absence of Russian teams and national squads at international tournaments due to Russian aggression against Ukraine. He claims that this has negatively impacted the development of volleyball, particularly for the teams of Italy, Turkey, and Russia. Velasco considers the existing sports sanctions against Russia as a nonsensical decision.

It is important to note that during Velasco's tenure, the women's national team of Italy won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

At this time, former Russian national football player Dmitry Sennikov was listed on the 'Peacemaker' website as an accomplice in the crimes of the Russian authorities against Ukraine and its citizens. Sennikov illegally visited the annexed Crimea in September 2021 and participated in a propaganda event organized by the Russian authorities. The event included a children's football festival where children related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine participated.

Dmitry Sennikov was born on June 24, 1976, and played for the Russian national team in official games. He participated in the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 European Championship, as well as winning championship titles in Russia with the 'Lokomotiv' team.