Russia Bombarded Ukraine, 2 Football Players Killed

Ukrainian footballer Dmytro Martynenko died in a Russian bomb attack. (Twitter.com/@FIFPRO)

JAKARTA - Sad news came from Ukrainian football. Two Ukrainian footballers have died in an attack by Russia.

The two names that died were Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko. The news of the deaths of Sapylo and Martynenko was shared by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) through their official social media accounts.

On the same occasion, FIFPRO said they were the first to die among soccer athletes during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“We are with the family, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko, the news of the first death of a footballer in this war. May both of them rest in peace", wrote FIFPRO on its Twitter account.

Sapylo is known to have played Karpaty Lviv. The last club where the deceased was sheltered has also announced, Sapylo breathed his last Friday.

According to the Mirror, Sapylo lost his life in a battle near Kyiv. The man, who was a member of the Ukrainian military and became a tank commander, was directly involved in the war.

Meanwhile, Martynenko is known to have died in a bomb attack that hit his residence.

Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war.

May they both rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/f6l9oHHRMr

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) March 1, 2022

Regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, several international football organizations have taken their own steps. FIFA and UEFA have imposed sanctions on the Russian national team and clubs in a strong condemnation.

Certainly, the Russian national team will not be able to continue their work in the 2022 World Cup play-off round. Meanwhile, Spartak Moscow has lost in the last 16 of the Europa League.

UEFA has previously decided to move the venue for the Champions League final from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to France.