Ukraine crisis: Football's first reported losses as two Ukrainian players killed during Russian invasion
Categories: FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Two Ukrainian footballers have been killed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has been raging in the past few days after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine. More than 100 people have been killed and now FIFPRO has announced the tragic death of Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martnenko.
The 21-year-old youth-cooperative person Sapylo, who was with second-division Karpaty Lviv, lost his life during a fight close to Kyiv. Reports referenced that he had enlisted in the military as a tank officer.
Then again, the 25-year-old Martynenko, who was a beginner player with local club FC Gostomel, lost his life when his loft was besieged. Reports expressed that his mom likewise passed on.
"FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice," UEFA said in a statement.
Russia were scheduled to host Poland in a World Cup qualifying playoff on March 24 and if they remain suspended at that time, they would be out of the World Cup and unable to progress to the finals in Qatar in November.