August 25 – Arsenal’s Ukrainian international defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed the resumption of domestic football in his homeland for the first time since the Russian invasion in February but says his compatriots face danger by even stepping on to the pitch.
“It’s so important to show to the rest of the world that the Ukrainian people don’t give up, that in any situation they carry on,” said Zinchenko, who has been instrumental in Arsenal’s excellent start to the season.
“If there are air-raid sirens, they are going to have to stop, so it’s going to be difficult. People are still suffering. We need to fight every single day.”
The Ukrainian Premier League restarted on Tuesday on the country’s Day of National Flag, another show of resistance following Russia’s invasion in February which brought a premature end to last season’s championship.
Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist Kharkiv drew 0-0 in the opening game of the league that has now restarted six months after it stopped.
No fans are allowed into stadiums and at least half of the 16 top-flight clubs in Ukraine are unable to play at home
Although only certain venues with bomb shelters are being used for games, Zinchenko said people needed football.
“I’d like to say a massive thanks to the Ukrainian federation, and president (Volodymyr) Zelensky who said we needed to play our competition in Ukraine,” he added.
“I know it’s not going to have the best facilities but we need to keep going and that’s the most important thing for all Ukrainians.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736502637labto1736502637ofdlr1736502637owedi1736502637sni@n1736502637osloh1736502637cin.l1736502637uap1736502637