The famous Ukrainian coach commented on the situation around the refusal of two clubs to hold Premier League matches in Mariupol.

"I have many friends among the guys who serve and protect Ukraine in the Mariupol district. We constantly maintain contact with them. Fighters love football and closely follow all the matches of the Ukrainian championship. I think they will be very happy about the opportunity to visit one of these fights in Mariupol. With the return of Ilyichevets (the club was renamed in FC Mariupol) in the Premier League, they will have such an opportunity. Against this background, some clubs sound rather strange that they will not go to play in this city, because it's dangerous there.

If they really think so, then let them go and tell it to those guys who provide peace in Mariupol. It is difficult for me to say what can stand behind such a position of clubs - additional transport difficulties, unwillingness to leave the comfort zone or banal, unfounded, fear. In Mariupol, now quietly and calmly. You can see this by visiting the city.

I think the leadership of the clubs that make such statements, should go there, talk with local residents and ATU fighters. We never saw them there.. Or are they even afraid of this? If they are cowards, then let them say so.

Mariupol hosts concerts and festivals, teams from the First League played here, our national team played among the veterans. I want to appeal to the fans of the Dynamo and the Carpathians, among whom there are a lot of volunteers and ATU soldiers, they are not ready to go to Mariupol, or does it all come from political offices and reception rooms? ", Said Markevich.

Recall, earlier Dynamo and Carpathians announced that they do not plan to hold exit matches in Mariupol because of the lack of security guarantees.

Football. Ua.