Kolkata: Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared an invasion on Ukraine on Thursday morning and since then the football world is as shaken as the political world. Numerous clubs and players have shown their condemnation of this war.
Legendary Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko, who is also actively invested in Ukrainian politics, had shown his take on this recent aggression his homeland is facing.
“In the early hours, a full-scale war was initiated by Russia,” Shevchenko posted on Instagram. “My people and my family are under attack.
“Ukraine and its population want peace and territorial integrity. Please I ask you to support our country and call the Russian government to stop their aggression and violation of international law.
“We only want peace. War is not the answer,” He said.
At least 10 Brazilian players including the former Ajax star David Neres are trapped in Ukraine with their families. The players pleaded for a safe escape from the war torn country through a video.
The Shakhtar Donetsk defender Marlon Santos had posted on Instagram along with several other players and their families.
“Really the desperation is high,” he captioned the post. “We are living in chaos.
“We are getting support from our club. But the desperation is agonising.
“And we expect support from our country. We speak on behalf of all Brazilians in Ukraine.”
Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, has also shared his view on this ongoing chaos.
“I am staying in my room. Today is not a good day,” De Zerbi said in an interview.
“I’ve been waiting for the federation to suspend the season until this happened. However, I didn’t move. I am here to do sport and I could not turn my back on the fans.
“There are 13 Brazilian players here and my staff. We could have returned home, but we preferred to wait. Last night we woke up to the noise of explosions.”
The football associations of Poland, Sweden, and Czech Republic have expressed their refusal to participate in their remaining World Cup qualifier games in Russia through a letter to the FIFA and UEFA officials.
German club Schalke has removed its sponsor Gazprom from the front of its kits after the “escalation” of the military situation in Ukraine.
Gazprom has been a longtime partner of the German club, sponsoring them since 2007. It is a state owned Russian Energy company.
Schalke will replace the Gazprom logo with the club’s own name instead.
Borussia Dortmund, like other Bundesliga clubs, have come out strongly against the Russian Invasion.
“BVB strongly condemns this blatant violation of international law! Our thoughts are with the people in the Ukraine.” They had tweeted.
Portuguese football manager Paulo Fonseca has given an update from his residence in Kyiv.
“My family and I are going through a very tough time,” he says. “In the middle of an unacceptable war.”
“However, we believe peace will eventually prevail.”
