War in Ukraine: Sports world mobilizes after Russian attacks

Smolov says ‘no’ to war, Brazilians want to leave

Legend of Ukrainian sport and football, Andriy Shevchenko published a highly symbolic message on his social networks. “Ukraine is my homeland! I have always been proud of my people and my country. We have been through many difficult times and over the past 30 years we have shaped ourselves as a nation. A nation of sincere, hard-working, freedom-loving citizens. It is our most important asset. Today is a difficult time for all of us. But we must unite. In unity, we will overcome. Glory to Ukraine“Wrote the former AC Milan striker.

Mircea Lucescu, coach of Dynamo Kiev, also reacted. “Sports activity in Ukraine has been suspended for 30 days. I will not leave Kiev to return to Romania, I am not a coward. I hope these brainless people will stop this war. I never imagined that all of this was possible“, he confided.

In a video posted on social networks and shot from a hotel in KIEV, the many Brazilian players of Shakhtar and Dynamo Kiev asked to be able to leave the country with the help of the Brazilian authorities. Fedor Smolov is the first Russian international to take a stand against his country’s attacks on Ukraine. “No to war!!!“Wrote the Dynamo Moscow striker, accompanied by a broken heart and the Ukrainian flag. Smolov, summoned in the last three rallies, has 45 caps with Sbornaya, wearing the captain’s armband several times.

Arrived last summer on the bench of Shakhtar Donetsk, Roberto De Zerbi spoke of a “very bad day“.”We were woken up by the bombardments that nighttold the Italian, stranded in the hotel, to ltalPress. The Embassy wanted us to leave, but I couldn’t leave my club, my players and leave. In the end, they closed the airspace. we stay here.”

The Wolfsburg club was one of the first to position itself in this conflict. “We are shocked and amazed by the events in Ukraine, where we had the privilege of playing with our teams. Our thoughts and solidarity are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a speedy end to the violence.“, wrote the German club on Twitter.

Dolgopolov’s plea for help, Monfils supports Svitolina

“We need helplaunched Alexandr Dolgopolov, a former Ukrainian professional tennis player (…) Keep this in mind and pray for her. Kiev, my city, is under attack. Ukraine too. The bombings started last night.”

Elina Svitolina also posted a message on her social networks. “I am proud to be Ukrainian. We unite in this extremely difficult time for the sake of peace and the future of our State. Glory to Ukraine“, wrote the 15th player in the world in the WTA ranking. Gaël Monfils, her husband, posted a flag of Ukraine on his Twitter account.

Serhiy Stakhovsky, 225th in the world, made an urgent appeal: “Russian troops arrive in Kyiv, the world is running out of time to react“. According to AFP, a breakthrough of Russian forces in the Kiev region is underway.