Russia captain Viktor Onopko has been ruled out of the EURO 2004 finals with a knee injury.
“Onopko is out, he has already left the squad and has gone home,” Russia’s general manager Alexander Chernov said on Wednesday.
The veteran defender suffered the injury playing for his club Saturn Ramenskoye in last month’s Russian premier league match against Rubin Kazan.
Onopko’s withdrawl is a significant blow for Russia, who have already lost central defender Sergei Ignashevich with knee problem.
Russia coach Georgy Yartsev is due to name his 23-man Euro squad later today.
