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.”

Sports

Lamine Yamal and Raphinha lead Barça to a 4-1 aggregate victory over Benfica

Young talent Lamine Yamal and Brazilian forward Raphinha secured Barcelona’s spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory over Benfica (4-1 on aggregate) on Tuesday at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc.

Raphinha (11’) opened the scoring for Barça after a brilliant assist from Yamal. However, Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi (13’) quickly leveled the match with a header from a corner kick. Yamal restored the lead (27’) with a stunning goal, and Raphinha sealed the victory (42’) just before halftime.

Determined to avoid any surprises, Barcelona started aggressively, with early attempts from Yamal and Lewandowskisignaling their intent to dominate. All goals came in the first half, securing a convincing win and a place in the next round.

Sports

Manchester United knocked out of FA Cup after penalty shootout loss to Fulham

Another disappointment for Manchester United: the defending FA Cup champions were eliminated in this edition’s round of 16, losing in a penalty shootout (4-3 after a 1-1 draw) to Fulham on Sunday at Old Trafford.

Swede Victor Lindelof and Dutchman Joshua Zirkzee were the ‘Red Devils’ who missed their shots against goalkeeper Bernd Leno, sending the ‘Cottagers’ to the penultimate round of the oldest football competition.

The elimination is a heavy blow for a United team that is currently struggling in the Premier League, where they sit in a lowly 14th place.

Now, the Europa League, where they will face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the round of 16 next week, appears to be their only chance to lift a trophy this season. Last year, the FA Cup, in which United triumphed in the final against their neighbors Manchester City, was the competition that saved their campaign. The previous season, they had reached the final, finishing as runners-up.

Sports

The prince is back: Neymar’s homecoming to Santos draws thousands of fans

Neymar was greeted by thousands of fans at his childhood club, Santos, on Friday, with a concert at the local stadium and a sign that read, “The Prince is Back.”

The Brazilian star’s private jet landed in São Paulo from Saudi Arabia in the morning, but Neymar requested a few hours of rest before being flown to Santos by helicopter.

The 32-year-old forward is expected to sign a short-term contract with Santos as he aims to regain his standing in Brazil ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Posters saying “The Prince is Back” were being sold for 10 reais (about $1.50) around the 20,000-seat Vila Belmiro Stadium, located on the outskirts of São Paulo.