Two Ukrainian footballers have been killed during the Russian invasion of their homeland.
Vitalii Sapylo, a 21-year-old youth-team player with second division Karpaty Lviv, lost his life during a battle near Kiev after joining the army as a tank commander.
And Dmytro Martynenko, 25, an amateur player with regional club FC Gostomel, perished alongside his mother when their apartment block close to the Ukranian capital was bombed by Russian forces.
A FIFPRO statement said: “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. May they both rest in peace.”
Karpaty Lviv described Sapylo as a “hero” after announcing that he had been killed in action on the battlefield.
A club statement confirmed that he died last Friday. It added: “We cherish the eternal memory of this hero.”
Both UEFA and UEFA have suspended all Russian teams from international and club competitions in response to the invasion of Vladimir Putin ’s forces.
The FA joined a number of national federations in announcing that they would not be willing to meet any Russian team at any level of the game.
Poland announced they would rather forfeit a place at the World Cup than meet Russia in a play-off.
FIFA responded by kicking the Russians out of the tournament after coming under pressure to act.
Russia will not be allowed to compete at the women’s European Championship to be hosted by England next summer.
And Spartak Moscow have been eliminated from the Europa League, with last-16 opponents RB Leipzig given a bye into the quarter-finals.
