Rostov cancel Turkish training camp as international relations worsen

Russian Premier League club Rostov have cancelled a January training camp in Turkey as international relations worsen, with Ankar Perm seemingly set to follow suit.

Russian Premier League club Rostov have announced that they have cancelled plans to have a training camp in Turkey this January, as international relations between the countries worsen amid security fears.

Ankara shot down a Russian fighter jet in Syrian airspace earlier this week without warning, in the latest combustive action in tense affairs in eastern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.

As such Russian president Vladimir Putin recommended that his countrymen and women should not visit Turkey due to security issues.

Turkey has been a popular destination for Russian sides to train during their mid-season hiatus, but the habit looks set to be changed.

Rostov deputy president Alexander Shikunov confirmed that the club would seek an alternative venue for training in the team’s winter break due to the current climate.

“We were planning to set up our January training camp in Turkey but decided to change this idea in connection with the latest events,” the Rostov official said.

“Many of the Russian clubs are currently seeking new bases for their training camps. We also decided that it’s better to be overcautious in such a situation.”

Following Rostov’s lead, Ankar Perm are also reassessing their scheduled training camp in the European country.

“We wanted to hold three practice sessions in Turkey in the winter but after the international climate has changed we are considering whether to choose Spain or Israel for our training camp,” Ankar’s club executive manager Denis Maslov stated.