Yuriy Bereza: "Each of our players must clearly understand that at any time he can change the football field for a trench!"

Honorary President of Dnipro-1 Yuriy Bereza, who is fighting on the frontline as part of the Dnipro-1 battalion, addressed the Ukrainian footballers.

"Thank God that the Ukrainian championship is being held at all. I take off my hat to the country at war, which can afford football in such a difficult time. But each of our footballers and athletes must clearly understand that they can change a comfortable locker room and field for a trench at any time.

Therefore, when they represent our country in international competitions, they must give 100 per cent, not just do a number. Football is one of the platforms where you can address the world community and say that we are at war, we are being killed. Athletes are ambassadors of our country in the world.

Therefore, today football players are the same as soldiers, and if they do not want to play with dignity, they should be ready to replace the guys who are now sitting in the trenches. Every inch of our land is liberated by Ukrainian blood shed by Ukrainian soldiers. If there is no Ukrainian state, there will be no sports clubs and no football. Do not forget this. Thank our Defence Forces for every day you live. Glory to Ukraine!" Ukrainian Football quoted Bereza as saying.