Ukraine rules out Russia-based players for Euro 2016
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - Ukraine has not included any players from Russian clubs in its preliminary squad for the European Championship, in a move likely to continue debate over alleged politically motivated selection.
The Ukrainian Football Federation's 25-man squad and four-man reserve features players from clubs in six countries, but not neighboring Russia.
Among those left out was striker Yevhen Seleznyov, who was a key player in qualifying but has not been selected since he signed for Russian club Kuban Krasnodar in the winter. He left Kuban last week and signed for Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk.
Also absent were Rubin Kazan forward Marko Devic and promising young midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The federation issued a statement denying political bias when its squad for friendlies in March also contained no Russia-based players.