Ukraine invasion: Football teams across Europe show their support for Kyiv | World News

Football teams in the UK and across Europe have been showing their support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

In England, there was a minute’s applause before each game.

Fans have been holding up pictures of the Ukraine flag, while Premier League captains have been wearing yellow and blue armbands.

The Premier League released a statement, saying: “We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.”

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Everton and Boreham Wood players held Ukrainian flags as they walked out on the pitch

In the FA Cup on Thursday, Everton gave an emotional tribute to their Ukrainian player Vitaliy Mykolenko.

The 22-year-old was given the captain’s armband and both Everton and Boreham Wood players walked out with Ukraine flags draped over their shoulders.

Clubs in Germany also marked the beginning of their matches with a minute’s applause and signs asking for peace.

German teams pose for a photo with a sign saying 'together for peace'.
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German teams pose for a photo with a sign saying ‘together for peace’

The German Football Association said: “The DFL condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

“War in any form is unacceptable – and incompatible with the values of sport.”

Read more:
Sky News team’s harrowing account of their violent ambush in Ukraine this week
‘Welcome to Hell’ – the message facing Russian invaders as Kyiv prepares for the fight of its life
Exhausted women and children shelter in tents after fleeing Putin’s war

Both handball teams posed behind a sign saying 'stand with Ukraine' after the match.
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Handball teams posed behind a sign saying ‘stand with Ukraine’ after the match
Men's basketball teams in Germany commemorate the lives lost in the Ukrainian conflict.
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Men’s basketball teams in Germany commemorate the lives lost in the Ukrainian conflict

Dutch and German handball teams held up a sign to stand with Ukraine.

Basketball teams in Germany also expressed their support, holding up signs saying “stop war”, as well as observing a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the Ukraine invasion.