The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine first erupted in early 2014 which eventually led to a long stalemate. However eight years later on the 24th of February 2022, Putin launched a full-scale military invasion into Ukraine. This war so far has resulted in hundreds of people killed and pushed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to flee to neighbouring countries such as Poland etc.
This crisis is awful and although it is between Russia and Ukraine, obviously it has affected the whole world. Not only are countries’ militaries having to pick sides but it has affected any sector with prominent Russians or Ukrainians such as the Premier League.
Abramovich and Usmanov in the Spotlight
Combined Russia oligarchs Roman Abramovich and Alisher Usmanov are worth £22bn. The extremely wealthy pair have been associated closely with Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich faces the threat of sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week. Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss claims that Abramovich has offered to sell Chelsea to him as he “wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.” Some speculate the 55-year-old may be forced to sell the club.
When manager Thomas Tuchel was asked about it he said, “I have to say that’s a bit too much for me to answer, I’m not aware of any details, and I’m not aware of the whole situation. We all agree there are situations much, much more important than football, this will never change.”
Usmanov does not own Everton, although the 68-year-old holds close commercial ties to the club. The company he owns, USM Holdings, are Everton’s training ground current sponsor. They also hold exclusive naming rights to the club’s new stadium. Europe is now imposing sanctions in order to deter Russia from continuing their invasion and has seen Usmanov’s assets frozen by the European Union.
Emotional Match in Liverpool
Last Saturday, at Goodison Park Stadium, two Ukrainian players on opposing teams held each after being brought to tears from the support of their teammates. Their teammates wore tops displaying the Ukraine flag with the message: ‘No war’.
Both players took spots on their respective benches, and were both seen crying as “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s my brother” by the Hollies and the Everton players were draped in Ukrainian flags. This was played instead of Everton’s usual “Z-Cars” theme tune as a sign of respect.
Manchester City did end up beating Everton 1-0, however it felt quite insignificant compared to City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenlo feeling supported before and during the game by teammates and fans.
Support for Ukraine
A lot of different Premier League teams are showing their support for Ukraine. Both Brighton & Hove Albion’s men’s and women’s team will wear their first kit in support of Ukraine to their matches this Weekend. Brighton’s third kit is blue and yellow which coincides with the Ukrainian flag.
Brighton Deputy chairman Paul Barber said, “We also want to show our full support for the people of Ukraine, and to all those who are suffering innocently from this terrible conflict, not least the many children. As a club, and on behalf of our players, staff and supporters, we would also like to recognise and show our respect for the many humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering in the region.”
Aston Villa’s Matty Cash scored a goal against Brighton, after scoring he revealed a message to a Polish international teammate playing in Ukraine. The message read “Tomasz Kedziora + family, stay strong my bro.” This moment led to a controversial booking from the referee. The referee justified the booking due to Cash taking his shirt off instead of the political message he displayed.
Other teams want to show their solidarity with Ukraine such as Southampton, who have asked if they can wear their blue and yellow kit to play West Ham in the FA Cup on Wednesday. Manager Hassenhuttl said it might not be possible however they will definitely wear it against Aston Villa at the weekend.
Fatal Football Casualties
The first football casualties of the war have happened in Ukraine. FIFPRO has announced two Ukrainian footballers have died defending their country. 21 year-old Vitalii Sapylo, and 25 year-old Dmytro Martnenko have both lost their lives in combat.
Sapylo was a goalkeeper for third division team Karpaty Lviv’s youth club. He has been labelled as a hero by his club and his father Roman Sapylo has said “He was such a happy, fun-loving boy. It was an airstrike by that damn Putin. He took my child from me.” He joined the Ukrainian army as a tank commander but died defending the capital Kyiv last Friday.
Martynenko played for second division team FC Gostomel. He passed away alongside his mother after Russian bombs hit his home in an apartment building in the Ukrainian capital.
