Sports

Ukrainian refugee to play for Dortmund in charity game

AFP

Ukrainian footballer Alan Aussi will play for Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday’s benefit game against his parent club Dynamo Kyiv, but admits his thoughts are often with friends affected by the war with Russia.

“Two of my best friends are on the front line. I contact them daily to see if they are still alive,” said the centre-back, who fled Ukraine after Russia invaded his home country in February.

“It’s difficult for me and their families because every day could be their last.”

The 20-year-old defender played for Dynamo’s under-19 and under-21 teams, but since fleeing Ukraine, Aussi has trained with Dortmund’s under-23 side.

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He will play for the Dortmund senior team against parent club Dynamo in the friendly, the proceeds of which will go to organisations providing emergency care in Ukraine.

Around 25,000 tickets have been sold, but holders of a Ukraine passport have free admission.

FIFA-level referee Denys Schurman, who also fled Ukraine and is now living with his family in Hamburg, will officiate the first half.

Aussi often checks his phone for news from back home.

“And I’m safe here, playing football. I was very lucky.”

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He finds it difficult to think about football, but says the proceeds from Tuesday’s match will help back home.

“It’s a very special moment. It’s difficult to concentrate on football. But I’m a professional and I’ll go out and do my best,” he said.

“With this game, we are helping Ukraine.

“It’s important that we can raise as much money as possible.

“Many people need the money, they have no home and nothing to eat.”

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Dortmund quickly agreed to host Dynamo, who have also recently played against Galatasaray, Legia Warsaw and Romanian side Cluj, with a game against Dinamo Zagreb also planned for Thursday.

“We all sympathise and are deeply shocked,” said Dortmund head coach Marco Rose.

“We have little understanding of what war actually means and what is happening in Ukraine right now. It’s a humanitarian catastrophe.”

International

Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals

Arsenal enjoyed a “historic night” on Wednesday after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, knocking them out of the Champions League quarterfinals, midfielder Declan Rice said.

“It’s such a special night for this club, a historic night for this club,” said Rice, who scored twice in the first leg in London, speaking to TNT Sports.

The English international was named Man of the Match in both legs — the 3-0 win in London and the second leg in Madrid.

“It’s amazing. I knew we were on an upward trajectory and we’ve done incredibly well in this competition. We deserve it and we have full confidence in our coach. Reaching the semifinals is unbelievable,” Rice added.

International

Two fans killed in gate collapse outside Chile’s Estadio Monumental

Two people lost their lives near the Estadio Monumental in Santiago, Chile, following a chaotic incident that occurred before the Copa Libertadores match between Colo Colo and Brazil’s Fortaleza on April 10. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the victims were crushed after a fence on the stadium perimeter collapsed, though authorities are investigating whether a police armored vehicle may have played a role.

It was a black Thursday at Chile’s Estadio Monumental. Two local fans died outside the stadium after a yet-unclarified incident caused a metal gate to fall on them, leading to fatal asphyxiation.

Local media reports indicate that a group of fans attempted to force their way into the stadium before kickoff. In response, local police allegedly deployed armored vehicles to block the breach.

Preliminary reports cited by local newspapers and news agencies like EFE identify the victims as two young individuals—one 18 years old and the other just 13.

Sports

Neymar Returns to Santos Training After Month-Long Injury Layoff

Neymar returned to full training on Tuesday with the Santos squad after spending a month recovering from a left thigh injury, the Brazilian club reported.

The number 10 joined warm-up activities with the team and later took part in a ball control and passing drill. According to the sports outlet Ge, he “did not show any discomfort from the injury” during the 30-minute session that was open to the press.

The Brazilian star had spent the past month undergoing physiotherapy, recovery work, and muscle strengthening due to the injury that had kept him out of Santos matches and even from the Brazilian national team. He had initially been called up, but was later withdrawn from the squad ahead of the World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia and Argentina.

Santos will continue daily training sessions this week ahead of their upcoming match against Fluminense on Sunday in the Brazilian Championship.