Zinchenko wishes death upon Russia's Vladimir Putin in deleted Instagram post

Oleksandr Zinchenko told Vladimir Putin that he hopes the Russian president dies "the most painful suffering death" in a scathing social media post which has now been deleted.

The Manchester City left-back also labelled Putin a "creature" and claims that his message was removed by Instagram.

Zinchenko's criticism comes off the back of him declaring that he "can't stand back" whilst "the whole civilised world is concerned about my country."

And the 25-year-old's most recent outrage follows news on Thursday morning that Russia launched missiles and bombs on Ukraine, with tanks rolling across the border from Belarus to continue their invasion.

Troops have also parachuted down on eastern regions of Ukraine and explosions have been seen across the country after Putin personally gave the order for Russian forces to attack.

Zinchenko first took to Instagram on Tuesday to voice his concern for his home country, writing: "The whole civilised world is worried about the situation in my country. I can't stay away and try to convey my opinion.

"In the photo - my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colours I defend in the international sports arena.

"A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. "We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine."

Football - like many other industries - has been caught up in the chaos, as Brazilian players from Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kiev have pleaded for authorities to help them get home after the Ukrainian Premier League was suspended.

Dynamo manager Mirceu Lucescu has taken a different approach, however, stating via Romanian outlet Fanatik: "I will not leave Kyiv and return to Romania, I am not a coward.

"I hope this war started by people with no brains will be stopped as soon as possible. I never thought it possible that this war would start."

West Ham United star Andriy Yarmolenko, also of Ukraine, is another player from the English Premier League to have spoken out and said: "I call on every Ukrainian to unite, to show his loyalty to the country, to support our army.

"Our strength is freedom, the right to choose, respect and human values. Our choice is European Ukraine. We are a strong nation, we are on our land and the truth is behind us!"

In addition, contingency plans are being drawn up by UEFA over where to host this season's Champions League final, according to the Press Association.

The 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg had been awarded the chance to host Europe's showpiece event but events overnight look likely to force a change of venue.

UEFA are monitoring the situation with the Russian city set to be stripped of hosting the final, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 28.

Wembley is set to host the Championship play-off final on that date, while the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is primed to host rugby league's Challenge Cup final on the same day.

It may open the door to another venue in England's capital, West Ham's London Stadium, which would have space in its summer schedule.

London Stadium chief executive Graham Gilmore told the Telegraph : "We have a great history of putting on world-class events from Major League Baseball to sold-out concerts and of course Premier League matches.

"We are always happy to hear from event holders, and there is a clear track record of the stadium and London hosting the biggest events brilliantly."

Holders Chelsea, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week told the House of Commons : "A Russia that has pariah status - no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries."

Mirrror Football has contacted Instagram for comment.