Beka Mikeltadze didn’t need to speak a word to send a powerful message reverberating around the world on Saturday afternoon; his actions after scoring for Newcastle Jets said it all as the Georgian forward held a t-shirt aloft adorned with a love heart and the Ukrainian flag – both coloured in yellow and blue.
His message to the Ukrainian people was seen by thousands around the country as the Jets drew 2-2 with Macarthur FC. Afternoon then turned to evening, as Europe awoke to see Mikeltadze’s message of support to the Ukrainian people which spread around the world.
European football then took centrestage, and the tributes continued to flow.
Mikeltadze’s poignant gesture became one of many powerful moments in the footballing world on an emotional weekend in the world game.
“That’s just given me goosebumps”: Mikeltadze’s poignant celebration
The applause in McDonald Jones Stadium rose in volume and enthusiasm as Mikeltadze sparked an emotional moment which played out in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a special moment from the Georgian, it’s a special moment at McDonald Jones Stadium,” said Paramount+ commentator Ben Homer as the touching moment unfolded.
“That’s just given me goosebumps,” added Phil Moss on co-commentary.
Yarmolenko in tears as Manchester City and Everton unite under one flag
Two English Premier League clubs with Ukrainian talent amongst their respective squads came together on Sunday morning (AEDT) – and the pre-match demonstration of solidarity with the nation under Russian attack brought City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko to tears.
Zinchenko – on the bench for Pep Guardiola’s City – shared an embrace with fellow Ukrainian Vitaliy Mykolenko who sat on Everton’s bench on an occasion which began with the home side emerging from the tunnel with each player in the starting XI draped in a Ukrainian flag, whilst the City squad wore t-shirts adorned with the flag and a call for ‘No War’.
‘We’re all there for him’: Rice throws arms around Ukrainian Hammer Yarmolenko
Leading West Ham out to battle against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday morning (AEDT) was Declan Rice, one of the Premier League’s exemplary central midfielders with a touch of class in support of West Ham’s Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko.
Rice walked out with Yarmolenko’s West Ham kit in his hands pre-match, displaying it to the world before his side won 1-0 at the London Olympic Stadium.
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Rice said: “It’s so, so important for me, for the team, for everyone at the club to support (Yarmolenko).
“The day it all started, we saw him at the training ground and he was in bits, and so were all the lads for him.
“We’re all there for him, we’re all there for the people of Ukraine. It’s horrible what’s happening but we’re all there with ‘Yarma’ and the little tap on the shirt to start the game obviously brought some good luck.”
Yaremchuk captains Benfica off the bench as emotions flow at Estádio da Luz
A 3-0 Benfica win over Vitória SC in Portugal’s Primeira Liga will be long remembered for the way the home crowd visibly moved second-half substitute and Roman Yaremchuk as he entered the fray.
Yaremchuk replaced Darwin Núñez with half an hour to play, and skipper Jan Vertonghen rushed over to the sideline to hand the Ukrainian striker the captain’s armband to adorn for the rest of the game.
As Yaremchuk took to the field, the crowd engaged in rapturous applause. Bottom lip quivering, the Benfica forward appeared overwhelmed with emotion as the moment played out in Lisbon.
‘We need to show solidarity’ – Klopp
Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool triumphed over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final on Monday morning (AEDT), but not before a moving pre-match tribute which Reds captain Jordan Henderson told BBC was the least the two teams could do to help the situation in Ukraine.
The phrase ‘Football Stands Together’ was displayed on the screens at Wembley Stadium over the Ukrainian flag. A minute of applause was accompanied by a chorus of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ from the Reds fans as the stakes of a cup final were put on the back-burner.
Liverpool went on to edge Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.
After the game Reds manager Klopp spoke to the BBC: “You cannot forget it, it’s really difficult… I’m happy that for three hours or so we could give the people something else to think about and be happy about but of course, now we have to go back to that and have to try to work in the best possible way to get sorted what happens over there.
“I have no words for it to be honest. I’m not often very surprised in my life but I’m really surprised about that, not that it happened – that as well – but especially the extent of it.
“We need to show solidarity with the people there, all of us. I hope that it will make a difference.”
Liverpool captain Henderson added: “It’s a frightening situation, to be honest. I think it was the least we could do, to show our support.
“What’s happening over there is scary to see, but like I said that’s probably the least we could’ve done.”
