Russia Ukraine War Updates – Shakhtar Donetsk Coach Dies: The Ukrainian authorties have confirmed a youth coach of leading football club Shakhtar Donetsk has died defending Ukraine’s sovereignty. The news comes just two days after two Ukrainian footballers were killed in the conflict – Follow Russia Ukraine WAR LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
Shakhtar are one of Ukraine’s most successful clubs, winning 13 league titles, 13 Ukrainian Cups, nine Ukrainian Super Cups and the UEFA Cup.
“One of our employees was killed, he was a children’s coach,” confirmed Shakhtar CEO Serhyi Palkin on Thursday evening. “He was hit by a fragment of a Russian bullet.”
Russia Ukraine War Updates: Shakhtar Donetsk coach killed in Ukraine during fight against Russia invasion: Follow LIVE Updates
The news comes just two days after two Ukrainian footballers were killed in the conflict.
“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and team-mates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo and Dmytro Martynenko, football’s first reported losses in this war,” read a FIFPRO statement.
“May they both rest in peace.”
Russia Ukraine War Updates: Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade neighboring Ukraine last Thursday, triggering a bloody war in eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian Premier League is currently suspended due to Russia’s invasion. Shakhtar are top of the table, two points ahead of defending champions Dynamo Kyiv.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Ukraine seek play-off semi-final with Scotland postponement
Meanwhile Ukraine have requested FIFA for a postponement of their World Cup play-off semi-final against Scotland.
The nations were due to meet at Hampden on 24 March but football in Ukraine has been suspended following Russia’s invasion of the country.
The winners will play either Wales or Austria for a place at Qatar 2022.
World governing body FIFA say they are working with Uefa and the Scottish Football Association to “find an appropriate solution”.
Confirming the request, a spokesperson added: “Fifa expresses its deepest solidarity to everybody affected by what is happening in Ukraine. A further update will be provided in due course.”
Earlier this week, Scottish FA president Rod Petrie wrote “football is inconsequential amid conflict” in a message to his Ukrainian counterpart.
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