UKRAINE CRISIS: EUROPEAN CLUBS, PLAYERS AND FANS SHOW SUPPORT

February 25, 2022
3 years ago

On Thursday, when Ukraine was attacked by Russia, football proceeded throughout the continent, with clubs, players, and fans expressing their solidarity for the Eastern European country. Ruslan Malinovskyi, a Ukraine international, scored twice in Atalanta's 3-0 win over Olympiakos and displayed a T-shirt with the slogan "No War in Ukraine."

The only Russian club in action on Thursday was Zenit St Petersburg, who faced Real Betis in Seville, with home fans waving a Ukrainian flag inside the stadium.

Zenit lost 3-2 on aggregate after VAR denied an injury-time goal that would have forced the match into extra time. Meanwhile, defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy, who has 54 caps for Ukraine, was on the bench for the Russians.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a defender for Manchester City, was not in action, but he did attend a vigil in Manchester's city centre to express his support for Ukraine.

'Thank you for your support @Zinchenko 96,' the caption says.

Barcelona and Napoli players stood together under a giant banner that said "Stop War" before their Europa League match at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

After a show of unity from both sides, Barcelona won 5-3 on aggregate.

 

Dinamo Zagreb fans hoisted a banner reading "Support to the People of Ukraine" after their 1-0 home win against Sevilla.