It was during the previous week that Russia attacked Ukraine. Since then, fighting in the latter country has taken place, which has had consequences from several perspectives. Earlier on Monday, it was clear that the football agency Fifa is shutting down Russia from all forms of international football. At the same time, Uefa has announced that all Russian club teams will be excluded from the Football Union’s competitions.
Since the Russian invasion began, teams and players around the world have also shown their support for Ukraine. Before the group stage match between Sollentuna and Norrköping in the Swedish Cup started, the guests’ Christoffer Nyman had the Ukrainian flag around his body. Then both teams gathered around the flag. Previously have for example, the players in Manchester City and Everton acted in solidarity with the attacked nation through a similar behavior as that on Monday at Grimsta IP.
When Fotbollskanalen talks to some of the players in IFK Norrköping after the match, they are saddened by the recent battles in Ukraine and the consequences it has had.
– It is tragic, we do not want things like this in the world at all. We are behind Ukraine, because what is happening is terrible, says fullback Linus Wahlqvist.
He continues:
– We are all human beings and the only thing you read and see are children and women fleeing, while the countrymen are fighting. It’s a special time we live in. I think it’s a disaster.
How do you view the decisions of UEFA and Fifa?
– What they are doing – shutting them out as much as possible – is the only way to show that we are a united front, which I think is very important. That’s really good.
Furthermore, Beijing’s Jonathan Levi becomes emotional when the war between Russia and Ukraine comes up.
– It is difficult to put into words how it is… What is happening is disgusting and horrible. I had to forget what was happening there for two hours, but am now reminded of it and collapse. You get a stomach ache from people walking for 24 hours to find safe ground, while I go to work.
While he is grateful that no one in his vicinity is in war-torn Ukraine, he asks himself how he can help from his side.
– I have such a turn that has no close relative, to be very selfish. I wish I could help so much, so I ask myself: “What should I do?”. I wish we all had Ukrainian flags on us, because I want to show everything, everywhere.
In addition to the feeling of dismay that Jonathan Levi expresses, he wants to emphasize the unifying forces that exist in football, for example.
– At the same time, I get happy when I see people go together. Just look at what happened in Benfica, where a Ukrainian was substituted, got the captain’s armband and the whole crowd applauded. I’m really trying to look at the direction that countries and peoples are joining together. In other contexts, people have different opinions about everything possible, but here we agree. That makes me so fucking happy and warm.
IFK Norrköping’s coach, Rikard Norling, is on the same track as Linus Wahlqvist and Jonathan Levi. He also condemns the Russian actions and says that the team wants to influence “the little way we can”.
– We are forced to talk politics because it is so important. We took a stand today representing the club; it’s about influencing in the small way we can.
How are you personally affected by what is happening in Ukraine?
– I’m affected by it, it takes on me. I hope he (Vladimir Putin, President of Russia) senses himself and captures his reason.
The match that took place between home-playing Sollentuna and Norrköping was clearly won by the guests with 4-0.
💛💙🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/RJ6QU0zBeF
– IFK Norrköping (@ifknorrkoping) February 28, 2022
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