Footballers Killed In Ukraine: According to reports, two Ukrainian footballers have been killed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

After joining the army as a tank commander, Vitalii Sapylo, a 21-year-old youth-team player with second division Karpaty Lviv, died in a battle near Kiev.

Dmytro Martynenko, 25, a regional club FC Gostomel amateur player, was killed along with his mother when their apartment block outside Kiev was destroyed by Russian forces.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and teammates of young Ukrainian footballers Vitalii Sapylo (21) and Dmytro Martynenko (25), football’s first reported losses in this war. May they both rest in peace,” FIFPRO stated in a statement. “May both of them rest in peace.”

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After learning that Sapylo had been killed in combat on the battlefield, Karpaty Lviv referred to him as a “hero.”

He died last Friday, according to a club statement. “We cherish this hero’s eternal memory,” it continued.

In response to Vladimir Putin’s army invading the country, both UEFA and FIFA have stopped all Russian teams from international and club competitions.

The FA, along with a number of other national federations, has stated that they would not meet any Russian squad at any level of the game.

Poland indicated that they would rather forego a World Cup berth than face Russia in a play-off.