Manchester City and United join forces to display message of solidarity with Ukraine as players from both sides wear T-shirts carrying ‘no war’ message before Manchester derby
- Players from both sides wore T-shirts carrying messages of solidarity
- Ukrainian flags were unfurled by Manchester City fans before kick-off
- And both City and United joined in a minute of applause ahead of the game
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its 11th day on Sunday
Manchester City and Manchester United joined forces on Sunday afternoon to deliver a message of solidarity to those affected by the war in Ukraine.
City players emerged ahead of the Manchester derby at the Etihad wearing t-shirts carrying the Ukrainian flag with a message reading ‘no war’, while their cross-town rivals donned black t-shirts displaying the same statement.
A large Ukrainian flag echoing the message was unfurled in the stands, where City fans waved Ukrainian flags before kick-off as players and staff from both teams observed a minute of applause.
Manchester City fans showed their support for the people of Ukraine on Sunday
Fans at the Etihad observed a minute of applause under the ‘Football Stands Together’ banner
Among those joining in was City’s full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who started the 187th Manchester derby on the bench.
The Ukraine international spoke movingly of the ordeal several of his friends and relatives are suffering in his homeland and revealed only his family had stopped him from travelling to fight in Ukraine.
‘It’s everything in my head. Imagine the place where you were born, where you were growing up and there is just empty ground,’ the 25-year-old told Gary Lineker during an interview with BBC Sport.
City players wore T-shirts carrying a Ukrainian flag and a ‘no war’ message underneath
The sentiment was echoed by T-shirts worn by Manchester United players ahead of the game
There were several messages of solidarity for the people of Ukraine during the derby
‘I can show you one million pictures and videos of every city in my country which they destroyed. I’ll be honest, if not for my daughter, my family, I would be there.’
Zinchenko was given a standing ovation as he began warming up on the touchline 10 minutes into the second half.
Captains of all 20 Premier League clubs wore armbands carrying the colour of the Ukrainian flag this weekend, with a ‘moment of reflection and solidarity’ taking place before kick-off in grounds across the country under the ‘Football Stands Together’ banner.
According to UN estimates, over 1.5million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia’s invasion began 11 days ago.
