Russia's war on Ukraine... Developments in sports
A group of Brazilian footballers who play for Ukrainian clubs and their families, seeking help from the Brazilian government to evacuate them, appeared at a hotel in Kiev, on February 24, 2022, after the Russian invasion.
The International Olympic Committee on Thursday accused Russia of violating the "Olympic Armistice" following its invasion of Ukraine, and said it would extend humanitarian aid to Ukrainian athletes wherever possible.
Hours after Moscow began invading its pro-Western neighbor, the International Olympic Committee said in a statement that it "strongly condemns the Russian government's violation of the Olympic armistice".
She noted that all 193 member states of the United Nations agreed last December to a global truce that begins seven days before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on February 4 and ends seven days after the conclusion of the Winter Paralympic Games on March 13.
The European Football Association (UEFA) Thursday called an extraordinary meeting Friday to "assess the situation" regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the Champions League final scheduled to be held in Saint Petersburg expected to be the subject of discussion.
The continental body said in a statement that its executive committee will meet on Friday to "take all necessary decisions."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that there is "no chance" for Russia to host football tournaments in the coming weeks.
- On Wednesday evening, Ukrainian Roman Yarimchuk, Benfica's Portuguese player, celebrated his goal in the Champions League by revealing a shirt bearing his country's emblem, hours before the start of the invasion. The Ukrainian League also announced the suspension of the local league competitions due to the situation.
"I wanted to support my country," he told CNN Portugal after the match. "I've thought a lot about it and am afraid of the situation."
- Striker Fyodor Smolov has become the first Russian international football player to announce his opposition to his country's invasion of Ukraine, after he posted on his Instagram account on Thursday, "No to war."
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