A Premier LeagueEngland’s professional football league, announced on Wednesday measures to show support for Ukraine, victim of a Russian invasion, such as armbands with the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, which will be worn by the captains of the 20 teams.
#FootballStandsTogether pic.twitter.com/QpP8pfDsFh
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2022
“The Premier League and its clubs wholeheartedly condemn Russia’s actions and will show their support for the Ukrainian people during the weekend’s matches,” the Premier League statement read.
“We ask for the return of peace and our thoughts are with those who are being affected,” the text adds.
During the 28th round, which will be played from the 5th to the 7th of March, the captains of all clubs will wear an armband with the colors of Ukraine. In addition, there will be “a moment of reflection and solidarity”, probably in the form of a minute of silence or applause, which will take place before the start of the games.
The screens of the ten stadiums that will host the matches will show the message “Football is united”, on a blue and yellow background, while the Premier League logo already displays the colors of the Eastern European country on its social networks.
Clubs, players and fans did not wait for the Premier League’s stance to show their solidarity before the weekend. The athletes of Manchester United and Watford gathered in the center circle behind a banner with the word “Peace” written in six languages, one of them Russian, before the start of the match.
During the Brighton-Aston Villa game, Steven Gerrard’s side Matty Cash, a newly naturalized Pole, paid tribute to his national team-mate Tomasz Kedziora, who plays for Dynamo Kiev. He displayed the message “Tomasz Kedziora + his family, stay strong my brother” alongside the drawing of a heart.
This gesture earned Cash a yellow card because he completely took off his shirt. However, the Premier League has instructed players not to be penalized for demonstrating in favor of peace in the conflict.
A English League Cup final Come in Liverpool e Chelsea last Sunday was also preceded by a minute of applause, after the two captains took to the field with wreaths in the colors of Ukraine.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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