The alarmed sporting world is preparing its response after the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army on February 24, threatening the holding of several events linked to the two countries, starting with the Champions League final in Saint -Petersburg at the end of May, which could be moved. UEFA, which condemned “firmly the military invasion” Russian Thursday, decided to convene urgently, Friday, February 25, its executive committee.
→ LIVE. War in Ukraine: follow the latest news in our live
Its members could be led to upset the calendar for the coming months, or even to take sanctions against Moscow, in unison with the international community which condemned the start of the conflict. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on February 22 that there was no ” no chance “ that Russia can host international football competitions in the coming weeks.
German club removes Gazprom name from shirt
Moscow must also host the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup play-offs between Russia and Poland on March 24, or even the final on March 29, if Sbornaïa beats Robert Lewandowski’s team.
In addition to the C1 final, the Polish sports minister also suggested withdrawing the organization of the men’s volleyball world championship from Russia, which begins on August 26. For its part, the German club Schalke (D2) has decided to remove the name of Gazprom, its main sponsor, from its jerseys, while the representative of the Russian company has resigned from his duties on the supervisory board.
FC Barcelona in Moscow
On the basketball side, Euroleague matches for men remain on the program for the next few days. “It doesn’t make me very happy to have to go to Russia today…”, commented on Twitter the Spanish international of FC Barcelona Alex Abrines, whose team plays Friday 25 in Saint Petersburg and Sunday 27 in Moscow, against CSKA.
→ EXPLANATION. Invasion of Ukraine: what does article 4 of NATO provide, the activation of which is demanded by Poland?
Formula 1 world champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel do not see themselves participating in the Russian Grand Prix in September. Playing in Ukraine seems even more complicated. The European Handball Federation (EHF) has decided to relocate or postpone the matches which were to take place on Ukrainian soil for the next four weeks.
Brazilian players in Ukraine worry
The explosion of the conflict led the National Football League on Thursday to suspend the Ukrainian championship, which was to resume on Friday after more than two months of winter break. Several foreign players and coaches were alarmed by the situation, caught in the dilemma between wanting to leave the territory and remaining loyal to their club.
“The situation is serious and we are stuck in Kiev waiting for a solution to leave. We are inside a hotel. Pray for us “, launched on Instagram the Brazilian striker (with a Ukrainian passport) Junior Moraes, who plays at Shakthar Donetsk. “I didn’t leave because I’m here to play sports and I couldn’t turn my back on the championship and the supporters who follow us”said his coach, the Italian Roberto De Zerbi.
Several Ukrainian footballers take a stand
The International Olympic Committee, which “strongly condemns the violation of the Olympic truce”in effect until seven days after the closing of the Paralympic Games in Beijing (March 4 to 13), “by the Russian government”has set up a working group to closely monitor the situation.
Outside the country, several Ukrainian footballers have taken a stand, such as Benfica Lisbon striker Roman Yaremchuk, who celebrated his goal on Wednesday in the Champions League against Ajax Amsterdam (2-2), showing off a black jersey sporting the his country’s coat of arms, or Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko. “Glory to Ukraine”wrote on Instagram tennis player Elena Svitolina, former world number three.
→ EXPLANATION. Ukraine: the double identity of Donbass, a region shaped by its history
A rare Russian voice to speak, international footballer Fedor Smolov wrote: “No to war”followed by a Ukraine flag and a broken heart, in a short post on Instagram.
