NORTHRIDGE, CA – Ukrainian football team left Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. The team announced they would become an exhibition team traveling around because of the suspension of their league. They will continue the games through May.
Credit: shakhtar.com
The invasion of Ukraine has affected sports in every aspect. FC Shakhtar Donetsk can’t play any league games, not due to any sanctions but for their safety. The club with history in Europe’s top football competition, UEFA, won’t be playing.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is arguably Ukraine’s top talent hub. The club has sold players like Brazilian midfielder Fred for $64.90 Million, who now plays in Manchester United, and Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho for $44.00 Million, who plays in Manchester City.
Shakhtar was first in the standings with forty-seven points before the Ukrainian Premier League before being suspended. The club left their home outside Kyiv for Istanbul with their academy youth players of twelve to thirteen.
A top official at the club and former player, Darijo Srna, believes their club is unique.
“I don’t know which kind of team in the history of football can be compared to us,” Srna said.
All the team has gone through maybe challenging and vigorous, but in the end, they are still helping their home country.
Shakhtar will be traveling on an exhibition tour, playing European clubs for charity. The tour is named “Shakhtar Global Tour for Peace.” According to a statement put out by the club, their goal is to raise funds for Ukrainian people, volunteer organizations, and doctors.
Shakhtar CEO Sergei Palkin gave why they are playing the exhibition games.
“We want to talk about war and peace in Ukraine through these matches. About the terrible war that Russia unleashed..”
Shakhtar started the tour losing to Olympiakos, 1-0.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk’s next exhibition games will be against Lechia Gdansk on April 14th, Fenerbahce on April 19th, and Hajduk Split on May 1st.
By, Nelson Cruz
Contributors, New York Times, ESPN, transfermarkt.us
Photo, shakhtar.com
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