Dylan Bettencourt
The Ukrainian Premier League is set to restart but players are concerned that the threat of Russia could again disrupt the league.
“My heart aches when I think of Kharkiv. A missile hit our training ground. There’s nothing left of where we played,” Metalist 1925 Kharkiv goalkeeper Denys Sydorenko said, as per BBC Sport.
Two days before Russia invaded Ukraine, local football went on its winter break and now six months later, they are preparing to finally resume.
Domestic football is set to return in a week’s time despite the ongoing war.
“Restarting football is a big step for the country,” says Andriy Pavelko, head of the Ukrainian Football Association.
“It’s a sign to the world that Ukraine can and will win. It’s also a sign to society that we are confident.”
Several teams in Ukraine have had to relocate due to the damages inflicted in their areas by Russian forces.
Oleksandr Drambayev was on loan at Mariupol FC with the city almost completely in ruins after three months of constant attack from Russia who now control the area.
“It’s an act of bravery to restart football in Ukraine. I’m happy about it, but at the same time, I’m very worried,” the defender said.
The city Metalist 1925 Kharkiv call home was nearly totally destroyed with some of them comparing Kharkiv to Chernobyl.
“When the players met up again we talked about where everyone was when the war started and what they were doing now,” goalkeeper Sydorenko said.
“Now, we are working hard at training. We want to make our fans happy and win every match.”
The 33-year-old fled to western Ukraine with his girlfriend and the couple got married soon after the invasion.
Ukraine football association president Andriy Pavelko said at the moment spectators are not permitted to attend matches as a safety measure.
Approved stadiums will also be fitted with air-raid sirens and bomb shelters.
“It’s good that all leagues will play. This will raise everyone’s spirits,” the president said.
Image source: @Newsweek
