February 24 – UEFA’s resolve over how to react to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine has been further tested after Benfica’s Ukrainian international Roman Yaremchuk unveiled a trident logo in support of his homeland during Wednesday night’s Champions League last-16 game against Ajax.
Political gestures and statements during matches often result in sanctions from UEFA and FIFA but Yaremchuk seems bound to command considerable sympathy after stripping off his shirt to display Ukraine’s coat of arms when netting Benfica’s second equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
“I wanted to support my country. I thought a lot about it and I’m afraid of the situation,” he was quoted as saying.
“The club supports me, they spoke to me and wanted to do everything to help me. I thanked them, although for the moment everything is fine.”
Yaremchuk started his career at Dynamo Kyiv before moving on to Belgian side Gent. He then joined Benfica over the summer in a move reportedly worth €17 million
Yaremchuk’s gesture came just hours before Russia launched its much-feared invasion of eastern Ukraine that shocked the world and has heaped further pressure on UEFA to strip St Petersburg of this season’s Champions League final.
European club football’s showpiece fixture is due to be played on May 28, the biggest single sporting event in Russia since the 2018 World Cup.
Yaremchuk’s move followed that of Manchester City‘s Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko who wrote on Instagram that “the whole civilized world is worried about the situation in my country. “
“The country where I was born and raised. country whose borders must remain inviolable. My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine.”
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