Photo: David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via GettyNew York Rangers player Artemi Panarin is taking a leave from the team after a newspaper in his native Russia published allegations that he assaulted an 18-year-old woman 10 years ago.Panarin’s former coach in the Kontinental Hockey League, Andrei Nazarov, claimed Panarin sent an 18-year-old woman “to the floor with several powerful blows” while in Latvia in 2011, according toESPN. Nazarov further said someone allegedly paid 40,000 euros to stop a criminal case over the matter at the time.As the outlet notes, Panarin was traded from Nazarov’s team shortly after the alleged assault occurred.The Rangers responded to the allegations with a statement on Monday that referenced Panarin’s recent criticism of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin— who Panarin’s former coach Nazarov supports.“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,” theysaid in a statement posted to Twitter. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.“Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty"Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team,” the Rangers added. “The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.“According toBleacher Report, Panarin, 29, is one of the most prominent Russian athletes to speak out against Putin and in support of opposition leader Alexi Navalny, who was arrested in January when he returned to the country after being poisoned. Navalny believed Putin’s government was behind the attack, theAssociated Pressreported.“I think he no longer understands what’s right and what’s wrong,” Panarin said of Putin In a 2019 interview withVsemu Golovin,according toSports Illustrated. “Psychologically, it’s not easy for him to judge the situation soberly. He has a lot of people who influence his decisions. But if everyone is walking around you for 20 years telling you what a great guy you are and how great a job you are doing, you will never see your mistakes.“RELATED VIDEO: Zamboni Driver Saves the Day as Emergency Goalie in NHL Game: ‘I Had the Time of My Life’Panarin recently displayed his support of Navalny in anInstagrampost on Jan. 21 (when translated, his caption read, “Freedom for Navalny”).Panarin signed with the Rangers in July 2019 and has beenone of their standout players, scoring five goals and 13 assists through 14 appearances so far this season.
Photo: David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty
New York Rangers player Artemi Panarin is taking a leave from the team after a newspaper in his native Russia published allegations that he assaulted an 18-year-old woman 10 years ago.Panarin’s former coach in the Kontinental Hockey League, Andrei Nazarov, claimed Panarin sent an 18-year-old woman “to the floor with several powerful blows” while in Latvia in 2011, according toESPN. Nazarov further said someone allegedly paid 40,000 euros to stop a criminal case over the matter at the time.As the outlet notes, Panarin was traded from Nazarov’s team shortly after the alleged assault occurred.The Rangers responded to the allegations with a statement on Monday that referenced Panarin’s recent criticism of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin— who Panarin’s former coach Nazarov supports.“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,” theysaid in a statement posted to Twitter. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.“Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty"Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team,” the Rangers added. “The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.“According toBleacher Report, Panarin, 29, is one of the most prominent Russian athletes to speak out against Putin and in support of opposition leader Alexi Navalny, who was arrested in January when he returned to the country after being poisoned. Navalny believed Putin’s government was behind the attack, theAssociated Pressreported.“I think he no longer understands what’s right and what’s wrong,” Panarin said of Putin In a 2019 interview withVsemu Golovin,according toSports Illustrated. “Psychologically, it’s not easy for him to judge the situation soberly. He has a lot of people who influence his decisions. But if everyone is walking around you for 20 years telling you what a great guy you are and how great a job you are doing, you will never see your mistakes.“RELATED VIDEO: Zamboni Driver Saves the Day as Emergency Goalie in NHL Game: ‘I Had the Time of My Life’Panarin recently displayed his support of Navalny in anInstagrampost on Jan. 21 (when translated, his caption read, “Freedom for Navalny”).Panarin signed with the Rangers in July 2019 and has beenone of their standout players, scoring five goals and 13 assists through 14 appearances so far this season.
New York Rangers player Artemi Panarin is taking a leave from the team after a newspaper in his native Russia published allegations that he assaulted an 18-year-old woman 10 years ago.
Panarin’s former coach in the Kontinental Hockey League, Andrei Nazarov, claimed Panarin sent an 18-year-old woman “to the floor with several powerful blows” while in Latvia in 2011, according toESPN. Nazarov further said someone allegedly paid 40,000 euros to stop a criminal case over the matter at the time.
As the outlet notes, Panarin was traded from Nazarov’s team shortly after the alleged assault occurred.
The Rangers responded to the allegations with a statement on Monday that referenced Panarin’s recent criticism of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin— who Panarin’s former coach Nazarov supports.
“Artemi vehemently and unequivocally denies any and all allegations in this fabricated story,” theysaid in a statement posted to Twitter. “This is clearly an intimidation tactic being used against him for being outspoken on recent political events.”
Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty
“Artemi is obviously shaken and concerned and will take some time away from the team,” the Rangers added. “The Rangers fully support Artemi and will work with him to identify the source of these unfounded allegations.”
According toBleacher Report, Panarin, 29, is one of the most prominent Russian athletes to speak out against Putin and in support of opposition leader Alexi Navalny, who was arrested in January when he returned to the country after being poisoned. Navalny believed Putin’s government was behind the attack, theAssociated Pressreported.
“I think he no longer understands what’s right and what’s wrong,” Panarin said of Putin In a 2019 interview withVsemu Golovin,according toSports Illustrated. “Psychologically, it’s not easy for him to judge the situation soberly. He has a lot of people who influence his decisions. But if everyone is walking around you for 20 years telling you what a great guy you are and how great a job you are doing, you will never see your mistakes.”
RELATED VIDEO: Zamboni Driver Saves the Day as Emergency Goalie in NHL Game: ‘I Had the Time of My Life’
Panarin recently displayed his support of Navalny in anInstagrampost on Jan. 21 (when translated, his caption read, “Freedom for Navalny”).
Panarin signed with the Rangers in July 2019 and has beenone of their standout players, scoring five goals and 13 assists through 14 appearances so far this season.
source: people.com
