English Premier League Stars Join Other Ukraine Football Icons to Preach Peace Amid Russian Invasion

• A video featuring English Premier League stars of Ukrainian descent together with their compatriots preaching about peace has emerged on the internet
• Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, West Ham attacker Andriy Yarmolenko and a host of their compatriots released a video urging Russia to ceasefire
• The video comes in conjunction with other appeals made by the football community to use the sport in building bridges in these trying times

The world has united in one voice preaching peace in the ongoing impasse between neighbouring countries Russia and Ukraine.

The former have invaded Ukrainian territories with Russia describing their motive as a 'special operation'.

The action fronted by Russian leader, Vladimir Putin has come under constant criticism with sports icons, especially football stars using the popularity of the sport as a catalyst to resolve the conflict.

In a video posted on Twitter, sighted by Sports Brief, Yarmolenko, Zinchenko and other top Ukrainian sports icons preached for peace while calling for global support.

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What is the video about

The 90-second video features Ukrainian sports icons which include footballers and managers canvassing for global support amid the Ukraine-Russia war.

The footage which has since gone viral sees the sports icons revealing the devastating effect of the Russian invasion in their country.

It portrays a united front by the footballers and managers expressing their disdain for the 'special operation' fronted by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Crystal Palace manager believes football can be a tool for bringing peace in Ukraine-Russia war

Meanwhile, former footballer turned manager Patrick Vieira joined the world in trying to use the power and popularity of football to affect a peaceful conclusion between the Ukraine and Russia crisis.

Vieira, who currently manages English top-flight club Crystal Palace reckons the popularity of the sport can be used to ensure the crisis which is slowly generating to war is brought to an end.

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The invasion by Russia to Ukraine has been widely condemned with president Vladimir Putin coming under serious scrutiny for what many has termed as 'cruel and inhumane.'

FIFA & UEFA impose strict sanctions on Russia following Ukraine invasion

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that FIFA and UEFA have banned the Russian national team and clubs from participating in all its competitions until further notice following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

The football governing bodies made the announcement on Monday, February 28, after an emergency meeting of the bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA.

According to a report via Sky Sports, the decision taken means The Europa League last-16 matches between Spartak Moscow and RB Leipzig have been called off with the German club progressing to the quarter-finals.