Rebrov apologizes for playing padel with former Russia player Berezutsky
Former Ukraine national team head coach Serhiy Rebrov apologized on social media for playing padel with ex-Russia player Vasily Berezutsky. Footage of the pair playing together in Spain sparked criticism among Ukrainians.
Serhiy Rebrov, the former head coach of Ukraine's national football team, has apologized on Instagram after a video showed him playing padel alongside Vasily Berezutsky, a former Russian national team player.
The clip, showing the two men playing as doubles partners in Marbella, Spain, began circulating on Ukrainian social media several days ago. It is unclear exactly when the footage was recorded, but it drew sharp criticism from many users online.
Rebrov said he had been aware of Berezutsky's antiwar position but did not know he had recently taken a coaching job in Russia, explaining that he does not follow football in what he called "the terrorist state." As a public figure, he said, he wanted to apologize to any Ukrainians he had offended, while asking that no one question his own pro-Ukrainian stance.
Career background
Rebrov led Ukraine's national team from 2023 until stepping down in spring 2026, after the side failed to qualify for the World Cup. He currently serves as vice president of the Ukrainian Association of Football.
Berezutsky was one of the most recognizable players for CSKA Moscow and Russia's national team during the 2010s. On February 24, 2022, he was among the few Russian athletes to publicly oppose the invasion, posting the slogan "No to war" on social media while working on CSKA's coaching staff under his brother, Alexei.
After CSKA dismissed Alexei Berezutsky as head coach in the summer of 2022, Vasily relocated to Spain. He took over as head coach of Russian club Ural in December 2025 but left the position at the end of the season after the team failed to earn promotion from the First League to the Russian Premier League.
