BREAKING: Shakhtar Donetsk coach killed in Ukraine during fight with Russia

Screenshot 20220304 120939

Shakhtar are one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs – winning 13 league titles, 13 Ukrainian Cups, nine Ukrainian Super Cups and the UEFA Cup.

A SHAKHTAR Donetsk coach was tragically killed by a Russian shell as the football club issued a heartbreaking plea to Moscow to “stop the madness”.

The death of the youth coach was confirmed last night by the club’s boss Serhyi Palkin as the Russian assault on Ukraine rages on for a ninth day.

Palkin said in a statement: “One of our employees was killed yesterday. Kids coach.

“He was killed by a fragment of a Russian shell.

“Russia, you are killing Ukrainians. Stop this madness! Don’t be silent, speak up!”

Shakhtar are one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs – winning 13 league titles, 13 Ukrainian Cups, nine Ukrainian Super Cups and the UEFA Cup.

The club, currently based in the capital Kyiv, are top of the table – two points ahead of defending champions Dynamo Kyiv.

They haven’t played in their home city of Donetsk since 2014, when conflict began following Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

The death of the youth coach, who has not been identified, comes just days after two Ukrainian footballers were killed in the war.

A FIFPRO statement said: “Our thoughts are with the families, friends and team-mates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football’s first reported losses in this war.

“May they both rest in peace.”

Palkin shared a statement last Saturday slamming the war and insisting Ukraine would remain a sovereign state.

He said: “There is a war in the country.

“Russia has launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. People are dying. There are no words to describe what is happening.

“The world community must stop this as soon as possible.

“I urge the clubs we have played with, most of Europe’s top teams, UEFA, tens of millions of fans, to give maximum support to Ukraine at their level.

“This war affects every European today. Only by joining forces can we overcome this madness. I believe that together we will stand and win.”

He added: “I have gone through many bright moments with Shakhtar, but for me personally the biggest victory in my life will be the victory in this war for Ukraine’s independence.

“Regarding the situation in the club. I am in Kyiv. Most of the players and coaches with their families are in Kyiv.

“We are trying to find ways to evacuate our foreigners and their families… employees of the club – at home, in bomb shelters, basements, in the subway. Where it is safer.”

Ukraine’s Premier League has been paused for at least 30 days minimum after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The top-flight was meant to resume last month after the winter break but now that has been delayed.

And now doubts will be raised over whether the nation’s World Cup play-off match against Scotland in Glasgow on March 24 will take place as planned, with Ukraine requesting it is postponed until June.

Russia has been kicked out of the competition already by FIFA, while Russian sides have been suspended from all FIFA and UEFA competitions.

The Russian city of St Petersburg has also been stripped of May’s Champions League final, with the showpiece event now taking place in Paris.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts