Ukraine restarts football
Ukraine has been the focal point of the world’s attention for six months since being invaded by Russia. Whilst the conflict is still ongoing, President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that on 23 August, the country’s Day of the National Flag, domestic football will restart in Ukraine.
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The return of football to the country has been described as ‘a
big step’ by head of the Ukrainian FA, Andriy Pavleko, and ‘a sign to the world
that Ukraine can and will win’. The Ukrainian Premier League was officially
halted in April this year and subsequently suspended. Many teams have been
forced to relocate to ‘safe’ cities in the west of the country, which include
Metalist Kharkiv who have moved their training base to the Slovakian border;
1,300km away from their war-torn city. Dynamo Kyiv still plan to play in the
capital or its surrounding area.
In what is an extremely volatile situation, talks are in place
with the Ministry of Defence on how best to hold matches. It is expected
that supporters will not be allowed to attend, while approved ‘safe stadiums’
will be fitted with air raid sirens and bomb shelters. Two teams, Desna
Chernihiv and Mariupol FC, will not be able to participate in the new season.
While some are warning of Russia’s nuclear capabilities,
footballers in Ukraine will be returning to their day jobs, something not
considered fathomable just weeks ago. The power football has to raise morale
should not be understated however, as many will remember how the return of the
Premier League in England during the COVID-19 lockdown raised spirits for people.
Whilst a more extreme situation, those who have fled Ukraine and those who are
still there will see this as an incredible act of defiance to Russia that the
country will not lie down, and can carry on as normal as possible.