Samples of condemnation against Russia’s attack on Ukraine are piling up every moment and the rejection of Vladimir Putin becomes universal. The number of casualties in the war in Ukraine is growing. And meanwhile, Russian football continues to its own, as if nothing happened. Apart from the turmoil caused in the world by the war, the ball started rolling this weekend, just hours after Moscow unleashed hostilities and launched the invasion of Ukraine. Russia decided to follow their plan and the ball started rolling despite everything. Without consideration.
The Russian Premier maintained its calendar and, after more than two months of winter break, like every season, the matches were played. Normally. The Russians follow their own. The international community has closed ranks against them.
UEFA removed the planned Champions League final in Saint Petersburg and moved it to Paris. The Sochi Formula One Grand Prix has been removed. The Euroleague decided not to play on Russian soil. The International Swimming Federation canceled the tests planned there. Athletics relocates its competitions set in the area… But the Russian league resumes. This Saturday four matches of the highest category of football there were played as the calendar intended.
Khimki against Dinamo Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Ural, Sochi and Arsenal Tula and the capital derby between Spartak and CSKA. Akhmat against Ufa is scheduled for Sunday and Zenit Saint Petersburg against Rubin Kazan on Monday. Only two matches were postponed, Rostov’s against Samara and Krasnodar’s against Lokomotiv.
Russia has ignored the decision of its neighbor, which it invaded. The Ukrainian first division soccer league was officially suspendedl. An expected decision after the declarations of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, announcing the military intervention of the army in the separatist regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.
«The championship of Ukraine is suspended, confirmed the Ukrainian League in a press release published on its official website. “Due to the imposition of martial law in Ukraine, the Ukrainian championship has been suspended,” it continues. It is a decision that has caught hardly anyone by surprise but is overlooked by Russia.