The Ukraine war also has a major impact on sport. Several foreign football professionals want to leave the country, but cannot at the moment. The concern among them grows.
The world is spellbound in the direction of Ukraine. Russia’s war is causing great suffering among the Ukrainian population and shocking the world.
Sport is also directly affected, the foreign football professionals in Ukraine in particular are worried and want to leave the country as soon as possible. A group of Brazilian players made a dramatic statement on Instagram asking for help.
“We ask for the Brazilian government’s support,” Brazilian Marlon Santos, who plays for Shakhtar Donetsk, said in a video. In it he was seen – obviously in a hotel – with other players, women and sometimes children. “Because of the lack of fuel, the closed border and the closed airspace, we cannot leave the country,” he said. One of the women said they didn’t know if they would have enough food.
Long gone from home
More than 30 Brazilian players have signed with Ukrainian top-flight clubs, including 12 at Shakhtar Donetsk alone. Clubs like the series champions have not played in their home country in the pro-Russian separatist areas of eastern Ukraine for several years. Shakhtar players and coaches live and train in the capital, Kyiv.
And there they are now stuck in a hotel, as various media reports. Donetsk’s Italy coach Roberto De Zerbi told Italpress news agency over the phone: “The Italian embassy told us to leave, but as a sportsman I couldn’t turn my back on the club and football.”
Awakened by explosions
“It’s a bad day,” said the 42-year-old, adding: “Tonight the explosions woke us up.” At least for the time being, De Zerbi doesn’t think he’s in danger. However, that could change at any time.
Due to the war, the Ukrainian association has now suspended play in the first division. Actually, the games in the Premier League should start again on February 25th with the first matchday after the winter break.
But not only football is affected. Other athletes are also concerned.
This is how other affected athletes react to the situation in Ukraine:
Fedor Smolov (Dynamo Moscow striker, Russian international, on Instagram): “No to war.”
Andriy Shevchenko (ex-national player and coach Ukraine, formerly AC Milan, FC Chelsea, on Instagram): “My people and my family are under attack. Ukraine and its people want peace and territorial integrity. I ask you to support our country and call on the Russian government to stop its aggression and violation of international law. We only want peace. War is not the answer.”
Alexander Usyk (Ukrainian world heavyweight boxing champion, on Instagram): “Dear compatriots, many media have reported that I fled the country, but no, I was on a business trip and I’m back now. I’m back at home. We have to stick together in these difficult times. No to war.”
Andriy Yarmolenko (West Ham United striker, Ukrainian international, formerly at Borussia Dortmund, on Instagram): “I call on all Ukrainians to unite, show their loyalty to the country and support our army. Our strength is freedom, the right to choose, respect and human values. Our choice is European Ukraine. We are a strong nation, we are on our land and the truth sustains us!”
Georgiy Bushchan (goalkeeper Dynamo Kiev, Ukrainian international, on Instagram): “I believe in our country, our army and our Ukrainian people! Now we must all unite in the face of the greatest challenge in Ukraine’s modern history. Ukraine has come a long way to gaining its statehood and no one has the right to deny them.”
Artem Fedetsky (Votrans Lusk, ex-national player Ukraine, formerly at Darmstadt 98, on Instagram): “Friends, brothers, our strength lies in unity!!! No matter who and where lives!!! Donbass, Luhansk, Uzhhorod, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Odessa, we are ALL Ukrainians!!! Nobody and nothing will overcome us!!! I believe in our victory, I believe in our independence!!!!”