“Stop war – we against war” reads the banner behind which the footballers from Greuther Fürth and Cologne gathered before the Bundesliga game. Even before the game on Friday evening between Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, the players of the clubs had sent the same message.
In all Bundesliga stadiums, such as here at the Alte Försterei in Berlin, those present observed a minute’s silence before kick-off. The footballers played with black ribbons in memory of those who died in Ukraine. On the scoreboard you can see Picasso’s dove of peace.
In Freiburg and many other stadiums, fans expressed their desire for peace in Europe with signs and messages in the stands.
A Ukrainian flag in the middle of a packed stadium grandstand – this photo was taken on the sidelines of the Bundesliga game between Union Berlin and Mainz 05.
“Stop it, Putin!” – a clear message on the video cube in the Frankfurt stadium.
(Foto: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
“Stop it, Putin!” – This unmistakable demand for an end to the war against Ukraine was made by Frankfurt in the direction of the Russian President before Saturday night’s game against FC Bayern.
With hair bands in blue and yellow – the national colors of Ukraine – these Leverkusen fans showed their solidarity with the state attacked by Russia.
A banner with a slightly modified version of the slogan “Make Love, Not War” was raised by 1. FC Köln fans before the game against Greuther Fürth.
After the attack on Ukraine, second division club Schalke announced that they would remove the lettering of their Russian sponsor Gazprom from their jerseys – against Karlsruher SC the Gelsenkirchen team wore their club name on the chest instead.
A decision that the Schalke fans should also welcome. This one called for an end to the war in the stands and showed the club crest next to the peace symbol.
Not only in the Bundesliga, but also in other European football leagues, fans and clubs showed signs of solidarity with Ukraine. This picture was taken during the Premier League game between Leeds United and Tottenham.
When club affiliation doesn’t matter: Ukrainian footballers Oleksandr Zinchenko (left) and Vitaly Mykolenko hugged before the match between Manchester City and Everton to applause from the fans.
As the two teams entered the stadium, all Everton players wore a Ukrainian flag around their shoulders. At Manchester City, the flag was emblazoned on the front and back of their shirts, along with the words “No war”.
It couldn’t be clearer: “We stand by Ukraine.” This message of support was read on Crystal Palace’s stadium display ahead of the Burnley game.
‘No to war’ reads this young football fan’s sign on the sidelines of the Spanish Premier League match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid.
