Ukrainian players in the stadium bunker.
Even if the war is far from over, football enters Ukraine He returned after more than six months of detention. Behind closed doors and with a bomb shelter in every stadium, the Ukrainian championship returned on Tuesday 23. And on the second day of competition, the match between Rukh Lviv and the Metalist Kharkiv was delayed by the threat of bombing and it ended up lasting 4h27min!
The game, played in the west of the country for security reasons, began at 15:00 and ended at 19:27, Ukrainian time. This is because, during that time, players spent a total of 145 minutes (nearly two and a half hours) in the shelter.after the anti-aircraft alarms went off on three separate occasions, although fortunately no attacks were carried out.
Finally and despite the interruptions, the match ended in a 2-1 win for Metalist. This was the first match of the tournament that had to be suspendedsince on the first day of play none of the four games played had to be postponed.
The threat of bombing had already been warned by the US government, which announced the possibility of a Russian attack on Ukrainian territory on August 24 because that day was celebrated a new day of independence in Ukraine and Russia could attack in conjunction with the anniversary. In the end, everything was in a fright.
Recall that the Ukrainian championship was suspended during the start of the Russian military campaign at the end of last February, and definitively canceled in April. But the Ukrainian league is back and its 2022/23 season kicks off on Tuesday 23 August and will see 16 teams competing across 30 dates.
Security measures
In addition to the matches without an audience and the mandatory bunkers due to the risk of bombing, the Ukrainian Football Association has decided that all matches will be played in the north and west of the country, the places least affected by the invasion. In addition, a measure has been implemented whereby match times or venues will not be reported until a few hours before, in order to prevent Russia from carrying out an attack.
“The main problem in preparing for the championship is the safety of its participants”admitted Andrei Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Association. He explained that the Federation has received a security protocol for the celebration of the championship agreed between the Army, the security forces and the local authorities.
“Holding football tournaments during the war is not just about sport. It is about showing our people’s courage, their indomitable spirit and their desire for victory.”Pavelko assured. “This is a unique initiative in history. Football against war in conditions of war. Football for peace”.
Source: Clarin
