Brazil, Argentina Soccer Players Refuse Return to Ukraine By Tariq Panja Jul 21, 2014 10:20 AM ET Five Brazilian soccer players and an Argentine are refusing to return to Ukraineâs richest soccer club because of the conflict in the east European country. Shakhtar players Alex Teixeira, Fred, Douglas Costa, Facundo Ferreyra, Ismaily and Dentinho refused to fly back with their teammates following an exhibition game in France. The team, owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, is based in the eastern city of Donetsk, which is controlled by a group of pro-Russian rebels. A Malaysian Airlines jet was shot down in the region, killing all 298 passengers and crew on July 17. âI donât rule out that these players will return to the team quickly, and some of them -- tomorrow,â Akhmetov said on the clubâs website. âPlayers have contracts that they have to abide by. If they do not come, I think, they will be the first to suffer.â Nine-time Ukrainian champion Shakhtar has been a landing spot for South American talent for several years, with many moving on to bigger European clubs for a profit. Last year the team sold midfielder Willian to Englandâs Chelsea. âEach of them has a minimum release clause, which is tens of millions of euros,â Akhmetov said of the players. âIf someone wants to reduce this amount by a million, then such a decision is our right. There wonât be clearance sale!â No Stadium The conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Ukraineâs new government has sparked a political crisis and prevented Shakhtar from using its home stadium, the $400 million Donbass Arena, which hosted games including a semifinal at the 2012 European soccer championship. âHopefully, the mind and heart will prevail over misunderstanding, and the players will not follow temptation and fear. Especially since there is nothing to fear,â he said. âWe are ready to provide security. We will not take risks, and in any case we wonât bring players to dangerous places.â The local soccer federation has yet to determine where Shakhtarâs games can be played. European soccer body UEFA in March said only western cities of Lviv and Kiev were capable of hosting games. âWe want to play in Donetsk very much, but, unfortunately, at the moment we cannot do it,â said Akhmetov. âWe will play where we will be allowed to. We would like to do it in Kharkiv. The decision regarding the championship is taken by the Ukrainian Football Federation.â
No but sadly the fella is right that they have contracts they have to abide by I guess? Even in a war zone?? Odd situation.
FIFA may well state Ukraine aren't allowed to hold any matches. they've done that to Israel after the invasion of Gaza. Then there's the state of the players, they will want to be paid but the clubs won't want to pay them for nothing so I suppose all the foreigners will be sold.
There is no way I would work in a war zone. Especially one with drunken armed mobs shooting down civilian aircraft. I suspect, things in Ukraine will get worse before they get better so the players are correct to refuse to work under those circumstances.
How can you secure against the Ukrainian Army/Russian special forces? Ukraine is in effect at war, and I would imagine if the players don't play you would struggle to enforce their contracts. Can't be the first time this has happened in football. Individual employment needs aren't high on most interested parties right now, but I'm sure they won't starve in the mean time, unlike the poor buggers still stuck there.
I dont remember us playing much football during the war years. Think they should stay where they are until its finished. Id rather rip up my contract and not play than risk my life and that of my family for a game of footy. they have my support
Would you want to play football in Donetsk at present? I thought not. FIFA/UEFA needs to make a ruling PDQ and ensure the safety of all concerned, even if it's a ban on all games in the region...
Shakhtar Donetsk will play home games more than 600 miles to the west in Lviv because of the conflict in Ukraine. Six foreign players refused to return to Donetsk, the main pro-Russia rebel-held city in Ukraine's east, on Saturday after a friendly in France. Alex Teixeira, Fred, Dentinho, Douglas Costa, Facundo Ferreyra and Ismaily did not fly back after the game in Lyon. The squad will now reside and train in Kiev and travel to the Arena Lviv for Champions League and domestic games. Fighting has continued in the Donetsk region in recent days, with government forces advancing near the pro-Russian rebel-controlled regional capital. Club president Rinat Akhmetov had suggested the six absent players, five of them from Brazil with Ferreyra hailing from Argentina, were using the conflict to agitate for a move elsewhere.