Artemi Panarin on leave from Rangers after serious allegations out of Russia

Huge news out of the NHL Monday after it was announced star player Artemi Panarin has been granted a leave of absence from the New York Rangers. The leave stems from articles circulating in Russia that accuse Panarin of beating up an 18-year-old girl in Russia back in 2011 when she allegedly refused to have sex with him.

The allegations are indeed very serious if true. However, there are reasons to be sceptical. Panarin has fallen out of favour with Russian media for bad-mouthing Russian president Vladimir Putin on several occasions. The allegations are being made by his former coach, Andrei Nazarov, who claims a bribe was used to ensure Panarin did not face any charges.

"I had to save Artemy, otherwise he would have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ... Panarin had to be saved for a bribe," Nazarov is quoted as saying in an article by Sports-express.ru.

The article is being described as a political hit-piece by many. However, the allegations are quite serious and it's not surprising that Panarin will leave the New York Rangers to deal with the fall-out. The Rangers have since released a statement saying the team is fully behind Panarin.

Related articles:

NEW YORK RANGERS RELEASE STATEMENT REGARDING PANARIN ALLEGATIONS

NHL, TEAMMATE COMMENTS ON PANARIN SITUATION; REPORTER CHECKS ON DETAILS OF ALLEGATIONS WITH LOCALS

PANARIN'S FORMER KHL TEAMMATES COME TO HIS DEFENCE

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ARTEMI PANARIN ARE EVEN BEING QUESTIONED BY MEDIA IN HIS HOME COUNTRY

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