Over the past week, the world has sunk further into the dire consequences of the war in Ukraine. Many people want to do something to end this conflict, but they don’t have the resources to do so. International sports associations such as FIFA and UEFA imposed heavy sanctions on Russian football clubs and national teams. They are no longer allowed to participate in any competition and are also excluded from participating in the world championship in Qatar, at the end of this year. Similar measures are being taken from the Olympic camp.
It is sad that athletes are probably among the most innocent of the Russian population, but the state of affairs also shows how much social influence the sports world has.
I see a lot of compassion for the victims from Ukraine. I used my Instagram account to provide a platform for my friend, former football player Andriy Shevchenko. He has made a few videos in which he calls for peace. Shevchenko mainly focused on the Italian population, because he played for AC Milan for ten years.
Families have been trying to flee Ukraine en masse in recent days. In many cases this was successful, but one group in particular encountered problems: the Ukrainians with African roots. Videos show parents and children being stopped from boarding a train or attempting to cross the border into Poland. Old wounds are open here and there, dating back to May 2018, when the Champions League final was played in Kiev. In the run-up to that final, there were months of discussions about the racism that would be rampant there. At the time I was a guest at a sponsor in Ukraine, but I have not encountered that kind of behaviour.
We often jump to conclusions about these sensitive matters, and I’ve learned to look a little deeper than what manifests on the surface. Also in the current situation with African Ukrainians. This group was visibly thwarted in attempts to escape the violence of war.
After reading about it and watching the video footage, I called my friend Shevchenko. I asked him what to make of this. His answer was clear: “Unfortunately there are always idiots and racists. If I could have personally done something for these people, I would have stood up for them.”
He also said that we should not lump all Ukrainians together. Last week, for example, a player from the national football team was blocked by soldiers when he wanted to cross the border with his family. His wife and children were let through, he had to turn around.
All men between the ages of 18 and 60 must remain in the country in order to join the military if necessary. This also applies to African Ukrainians. It may not be a saving grace, but it does offer a broader perspective.
During a crisis like this we should not throw oil on the fire, but put out a lot of water.
Clarence Seedorf is a former football player. Now he is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and guest speaker.