Lokomotiv Moscow coach Markus Gisdol said on Tuesday that he has resigned from his position at the Russian Premier League side in protest against Russia`s war with Ukraine, but the club insisted he had in fact been sacked.

In a statement published by German newspaper Bild, Gisdol said he had been forced to take action having witnessed what is going on in Ukraine.

"I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression in the middle of Europe," the 52-year-old said. "That is not in line with my values, which is why I have resigned from my position as coach with immediate effect.

"I can`t stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometres away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people. That is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of it."

His club, however, took to Twitter to say that Gisdol had been dismissed.

"Markus Gisdol was dismissed from the post of head coach of FC Lokomotiv. The club and the team are working as usual and are concentrating on achieving the maximum results in the upcoming matches," Lokomotiv said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-uefa-suspend-russia-from-international-football-until-further-notice-in-the-wake-of-ukraine-crisis-457708">FIFA, UEFA suspend Russia from international football until further notice in the wake of Ukraine crisis</a>

German coach Gisdol, who had previously spent his whole playing and coaching career in his homeland, most recently with Cologne, had been in charge for 12 matches.

The move came a day after FIFA and UEFA jointly suspended Russian teams from all international football, meaning Spartak Moscow, Russia`s only side left in European competition, will no longer compete in the Europa League. 
Lokomotiv were also in the Europa League but finished bottom of their group.

Lokomotiv Moscow coach Markus Gisdol said on Tuesday that he has resigned from his position at the Russian Premier League side in protest against Russia`s war with Ukraine, but the club insisted he had in fact been sacked.

Lokomotiv Moscow coach Markus Gisdol said on Tuesday that he has resigned from his position at the Russian Premier League side in protest against Russia`s war with Ukraine, but the club insisted he had in fact been sacked. In a statement published by German newspaper Bild, Gisdol said he had been forced to take action having witnessed what is going on in Ukraine. "I cannot pursue my calling in a country whose leader is responsible for a war of aggression in the middle of Europe," the 52-year-old said. "That is not in line with my values, which is why I have resigned from my position as coach with immediate effect. "I can`t stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometres away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people. That is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of it." His club, however, took to Twitter to say that Gisdol had been dismissed. "Markus Gisdol was dismissed from the post of head coach of FC Lokomotiv. The club and the team are working as usual and are concentrating on achieving the maximum results in the upcoming matches," Lokomotiv said. Also Read: FIFA, UEFA suspend Russia from international football until further notice in the wake of Ukraine crisis German coach Gisdol, who had previously spent his whole playing and coaching career in his homeland, most recently with Cologne, had been in charge for 12 matches. The move came a day after FIFA and UEFA jointly suspended Russian teams from all international football, meaning Spartak Moscow, Russia`s only side left in European competition, will no longer compete in the Europa League. Lokomotiv were also in the Europa League but finished bottom of their group.

Lokomotiv Moscow coach Markus Gisdol steps down in protest against Russian invasion

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/la-liga-lionel-messi-sinks-atletico-as-barcelona-return-to-the-top-265656">Atletico Madrid</a> comfortably beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 at home on Wednesday to end a barren run of four games without a win and advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the sixth time in seven years.

Club record signing Joao Felix calmly converted a penalty to put Diego Simeone's side ahead in the 17th minute after Kieran Trippier had squandered an opportunity from the spot, while defender Felipe made sure of the win with a volley in the 54th.

The victory meant Atletico finished second in Group D with 10 points behind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/martinez-fires-inter-top-of-serie-a-as-juventus-slip-up-265660">Juventus</a> who ended on 16 by winning 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen.

"We had gone too long without winning and we're glad to finally be able to celebrate with our supporters," Atletico captain Koke told reporters.

"From the start, we tried to take the game to them and went looking for a goal and this time we were able to score a couple."

Atletico had a slender lead of one point over Leverkusen heading into their final match and only a victory would guarantee they remained in Europe's top competition, which they narrowly missed out on winning in 2014 and 2016.

It seemed a simple enough task except for the fact Atletico had won only one of their previous eight games in all competitions and had failed to score in their last three outings despite firing 50 shots at goal.

They got off to an ideal start as they were awarded a penalty with the game less than a minute old when Portugal forward Felix shuffled into the area and was felled by visiting goalkeeper Anton Kochenkov.

England defender Trippier chose power over placement and Kochenkov beat the shot away with his left hand, but Atletico were not discouraged by the early mishap and earned a second penalty for a handball after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-rule-makers-look-at-ways-of-providing-more-information-about-var-decisions-266170">VAR review</a>.

Felix, their 126-million-euro signing, sent Kochenkov the wrong way from the spot and Atletico rarely looked back, eventually sealing the win through Felipe's goal after Morata had an effort chalked off for offside after a VAR review.

"We really needed a victory like this because we have been playing well recently but our results have not been good," added Koke.

"We're going to be a difficult opponent for anyone in the next round."

Atletico Madrid comfortably beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 at home on Wednesday to end a barren run of four games without a win and advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the sixth time in seven years.

Atletico Madrid comfortably beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 at home on Wednesday to end a barren run of four games without a win and advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the sixth time in seven years. Club record signing Joao Felix calmly converted a penalty to put Diego Simeone's side ahead in the 17th minute after Kieran Trippier had squandered an opportunity from the spot, while defender Felipe made sure of the win with a volley in the 54th. The victory meant Atletico finished second in Group D with 10 points behind Juventus who ended on 16 by winning 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen. "We had gone too long without winning and we're glad to finally be able to celebrate with our supporters," Atletico captain Koke told reporters. "From the start, we tried to take the game to them and went looking for a goal and this time we were able to score a couple." Atletico had a slender lead of one point over Leverkusen heading into their final match and only a victory would guarantee they remained in Europe's top competition, which they narrowly missed out on winning in 2014 and 2016. It seemed a simple enough task except for the fact Atletico had won only one of their previous eight games in all competitions and had failed to score in their last three outings despite firing 50 shots at goal. They got off to an ideal start as they were awarded a penalty with the game less than a minute old when Portugal forward Felix shuffled into the area and was felled by visiting goalkeeper Anton Kochenkov. England defender Trippier chose power over placement and Kochenkov beat the shot away with his left hand, but Atletico were not discouraged by the early mishap and earned a second penalty for a handball after a VAR review. Felix, their 126-million-euro signing, sent Kochenkov the wrong way from the spot and Atletico rarely looked back, eventually sealing the win through Felipe's goal after Morata had an effort chalked off for offside after a VAR review. "We really needed a victory like this because we have been playing well recently but our results have not been good," added Koke. "We're going to be a difficult opponent for anyone in the next round."

Atletico Madrid stroll into Champions League knockouts

Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres scored twice as his side steamrolled Lokomotiv Moscow 5-1 in freezing conditions in Russia on Thursday to stroll into the Europa League quarter-finals 8-1 on aggregate.

The Spaniards had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg and Angel Correa promptly stretched their lead in the tie with an arrowed low finish into the far corner in the 16th minute after dribbling his way through the hosts&#39; defence.

Polish full back Maciej Rybus levelled for Lokomotiv four minutes later with a stunning long-range strike but Atletico&#39;s passage to the last eight was rarely in doubt and Saul Niguez put them back in front early in the second half.

Torres converted from the penalty spot to score for the first time since Jan. 28 and struck again five minutes later before substitute Antoine Griezmann completed the rout with an outrageous chipped shot from just inside the area.

The Spaniards had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg

Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres scored twice as his side steamrolled Lokomotiv Moscow 5-1 in freezing conditions in Russia on Thursday to stroll into the Europa League quarter-finals 8-1 on aggregate. The Spaniards had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg and Angel Correa promptly stretched their lead in the tie with an arrowed low finish into the far corner in the 16th minute after dribbling his way through the hosts' defence. Polish full back Maciej Rybus levelled for Lokomotiv four minutes later with a stunning long-range strike but Atletico's passage to the last eight was rarely in doubt and Saul Niguez put them back in front early in the second half. Torres converted from the penalty spot to score for the first time since Jan. 28 and struck again five minutes later before substitute Antoine Griezmann completed the rout with an outrageous chipped shot from just inside the area.

Europa League: Torres strikes twice as Atletico Madrid smash Lokomotiv Moscow

Diego Costa helped Atletico Madrid take a big step toward the Europa League quarter-finals by scoring in a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday.

Atletico will carry a commanding lead into the second leg in Russia.

Saul Niguez hit the net with a stunning strike at the Wanda Metropolitano before Costa made it two with an instinctive finish.

Koke added a third late on to leave Lokomotiv with a mountain to climb next week.

Costa has six goals in 12 appearances since moving to Atletico from Chelsea in January.

&quot;In the whole game we were superior,&quot; Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

Security around the game was ramped up amid fears of a repeat of the fan violence that marred Athletic Bilbao&#39;s match against Spartak Moscow a fortnight ago.

Only around 500 Russian supporters were reported to have made the trip to the Spanish capital, however, and there was no visible sign of trouble before kick-off.

Lokomotiv sit seven points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League but this is as far as the club has gone in Europe since reaching the Champions League last 16 in 2004.

&quot;In no way did I feel embarrassment for the team,&quot; Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin said.

&quot;We do not consider the tie lost.&quot;

Atletico, meanwhile, are rated as Europa League favourites with the bookmakers and, on this evidence, they will take some stopping.

Lokomotiv managed only one shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Both teams stood around the centre circle before kick-off as a minute that began in silence broke into applause in memory of Fiorentina defender Davide Astori, who died suddenly on Sunday.

Atletico controlled possession early on but it took a thunderbolt from distance to break the deadlock.

Saul picked the ball up 30 yards out and without a better option unleashed a left-footed shot that sailed into the top corner.

They should have doubled their lead before half-time. Lokomotiv goalkeeper Guilherme rushed out and was robbed of the ball by Antoine Griezmann on the touchline. With the goal gaping, the Frenchman could only guide his long-range effort wide of the far post.

Costa was more precise early in the second half, however, steering home the rebound after Griezmann had seen his close-range finish saved. Saul had provided the brilliant pass.

Griezmann was taken off in the 66th minute and Costa followed eight minutes later.

But there was still time for a third when Koke burst into the box and prodded a shot into the corner.

&nbsp;

Diego Costa helped Atletico Madrid take a big step toward the Europa League quarter-finals by scoring in a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday

Diego Costa helped Atletico Madrid take a big step toward the Europa League quarter-finals by scoring in a 3-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday. Atletico will carry a commanding lead into the second leg in Russia. Saul Niguez hit the net with a stunning strike at the Wanda Metropolitano before Costa made it two with an instinctive finish. Koke added a third late on to leave Lokomotiv with a mountain to climb next week. Costa has six goals in 12 appearances since moving to Atletico from Chelsea in January. "In the whole game we were superior," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. Security around the game was ramped up amid fears of a repeat of the fan violence that marred Athletic Bilbao's match against Spartak Moscow a fortnight ago. Only around 500 Russian supporters were reported to have made the trip to the Spanish capital, however, and there was no visible sign of trouble before kick-off. Lokomotiv sit seven points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League but this is as far as the club has gone in Europe since reaching the Champions League last 16 in 2004. "In no way did I feel embarrassment for the team," Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin said. "We do not consider the tie lost." Atletico, meanwhile, are rated as Europa League favourites with the bookmakers and, on this evidence, they will take some stopping. Lokomotiv managed only one shot on target in the 90 minutes. Both teams stood around the centre circle before kick-off as a minute that began in silence broke into applause in memory of Fiorentina defender Davide Astori, who died suddenly on Sunday. Atletico controlled possession early on but it took a thunderbolt from distance to break the deadlock. Saul picked the ball up 30 yards out and without a better option unleashed a left-footed shot that sailed into the top corner. They should have doubled their lead before half-time. Lokomotiv goalkeeper Guilherme rushed out and was robbed of the ball by Antoine Griezmann on the touchline. With the goal gaping, the Frenchman could only guide his long-range effort wide of the far post. Costa was more precise early in the second half, however, steering home the rebound after Griezmann had seen his close-range finish saved. Saul had provided the brilliant pass. Griezmann was taken off in the 66th minute and Costa followed eight minutes later. But there was still time for a third when Koke burst into the box and prodded a shot into the corner.

Costa leads Atletico rout over Lokomotiv Moscow