Sports World Takes a Stance Against Russian Invasion
FIFA 2018 World Cup I Flickr Creative Commons
FIFA and UEFA announced their decision on Feb. 28 to ban Russia and the country’s pro teams from competing in world competitions, including the 2022 World Cup, Champions League and Europa League. The Champions League final was originally going to be played in St. Petersburg, but has since been switched to Paris. These outcomes all stem from Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
By the dozens, teams are dropping Russian sponsors and cutting ties with any Russian executive or ownership. Manchester United announced it will no longer use Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline company, as a sponsor on their kits. Roman Abramovich, majority owner of Chelsea FC, handed off control of the club but is yet to sell the club. Abramovich has been criticized for his lack of response, as his €2 billion loan to Chelsea had sanction insurance and as a result, has not lost its value even with Russian banks barred from operating and managing money in Europe.
Elsewhere, the International Ice Hockey Federation announced Russia and Belarus will be banned from future competitions, including relocating the World Juniors Hockey Championship away from Russia. In a statement by IIHF, "these actions have been initiated by the Council in order to enable the IIHF to ensure the safety of IIHF Championships and all participating players, officials, and fans."
This marks that all teams, including juniors, mens and womens hockey teams from Belarus and Russia, will not be able to participate in any future hockey competitions. Russia is one of the greatest hockey nations in the world and barring the #3 ranked men’s national team from competition affects international hockey drastically.
Across the sports world, clubs and players rally behind Ukraine in support of their fight for freedom and peace. Leagues across Europe and America such as the English Premier League, German Bundesligas 1 & 2, NBA and others are having moments of silence before games to pay tribute to Ukraine. Ukrainian athletes in the EPL, NHL and the NBA are using their influence to spread awareness in support of their home country.
Last Saturday, Ukrainian midfielder Alexander Zinchenko was brought to tears as Premier League sides Manchester City and Everton linked arms ahead of their matchup, taking a firm stance against the war.. Ukrainian NBA players Alex Len and Sviataslov Mykhailiuk shared encouraging posts, writing, “We hope for an end to this terrible war as soon as possible. Dear fellow Ukrainians, Hold on! Our strength is unity. We are with you.”
With general mobilization in full effect in Ukraine, former professional athletes are taking up arms in their fight against Russia. Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko, brothers and former heavyweight boxers, announced they have joined the fight against Russia, meeting up with battalions in Kyiv. Also, former two-time gold medalist and three-time world champion boxer, Vasily Lomachenko, flew from Greece to join a defense battalion.
Since Russia’s invasion, over 500,000 Ukrainians have fled to take refuge in countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. As the world watches Ukraine take on a military five times its size, sports clubs, organizations and athletes rally behind the country’s efforts in stopping the war.