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England and Ukraine players stand together behind the visitors’ blue and yellow flag at Wembley to send out a message of peace and solidarity amid ongoing Russian invasion
England’s players have joined together with Ukraine’s to stand behind the national flag of the war-torn country and send out a message of peace.
England’s meeting with Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Sunday comes as their opponents face an ongoing war with Russia in their own country.
Both teams came together behind a huge blue and yellow flag, with the word ‘peace’ written on it in big black capital letters.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s players were each draped in their national flag as the team stood for the national anthems ahead of the 5pm kick-off in north-west London.
The ongoing invasion of Ukraine has impacted on the country, with air travel prohibited. As Sportsmail previously reported, Ukraine’s kit men and some other staff members had to begin their journey eight days before Sunday’s fixture, travelling to Poland on their way to England.
English and Ukrainian players came together in solidarity behind a flag that read ‘peace’
Ukraine’s players stood for their anthem draped in the national blue and yellow flag on Sunday
Speaking to Channel 4 before kick-off, former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko said Sunday’s match was ‘about more than football’.
He also gave his appreciation to the way that the UK had offered their support to his native country at this difficult time.
Shevchenko also hailed the soldiers who were on the frontline against Russia. The 46-year-old said: ‘We are so lucky for their sacrifices and the team today are so lucky because they stay strong to keep freedom for Ukrainian.
Ukraine is currently in the middle of an ongoing war with neighbouring country Russia
Andriy Shevchenko has declared that England’s qualifier with Ukraine is bigger than football
‘I think we’re mentally very strong and we are united all together.’
Former England Lioness Jill Scott spoke out about the country continuing to play football despite the ongoing situation at home. Scott said: ‘It shows the power of football – how they play week in, week out. Putting smiles on faces.’
It is Ukraine’s first fixture in the qualifying stage for the Euro 2024 championships in Germany next summer.
England started their campaign with a win in Naples on Thursday night, with Harry Kane’s opener against Italy crowning him as the country’s all-time top goalscorer.
