A few months after the scripting one of the greatest upheavals in Champions League historySheriff Tiraspol coach Yuriy Vernydub is taking up arm in defense of his native Ukraine against the Russian in course invasion.
The 56-year-old told the BBC he didn’t hesitate in return home once his son he informed him last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had launched military action.
“My son he called me at 4:30 and told me that the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I would be back in Ukraine fight”He said.
Vernydub is one of several famous Ukrainian sports personalities, including world heavy boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, who are back home to fight.
Vernydub got the call while in Portugal for a Europa League playoff match – The sheriff lost on penalties at Braga after the 2-2 draw on aggregate.
While the sheriff plays in the Moldovan league comes from Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist state created after a civil war in following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Vernydub, who finished his playing career in Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, spent 11 hours in voyage home in Ukraine on On Saturday.
Many of his family tried to dissuade him.
“I thank my wife for supporting I, “he said.
“You know my character. If I make a decision I won’t change it.”
‘United us as a nation ‘
Vernydub says received two years of military training when he was younger and said, “I know how to use”Weapons.
At the time of in the BBC interview, he was 120 kilometers from the fighting.
“I am not authorized to reveal what is mine role And in the army, “he said.
“Now we are taught. In any minute we are ready to go where they say us to. I haven’t used my gun yet but I’m ready, always. At any time.”
His passion for this unexpected turn in life is clear.
“They (the Russians) said we are fascists, Nazis … I can’t even find my words to describe what they are doing,” he said.
“They are attacking the home civilians but only they say hit the military infrastructure. They are lying.
“I have no doubts in my mind that ukraine will win this war. I can not think of everything else. I’m sure of That. I have seen this united tragedy us as a nation “.
Vernydub says he had “total respect” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “People used to call him a clown, but he has proven himself to be a real boss, “he said.
Vernydub said his mind often drifts back in the evening in Madrid when the sheriff triumphed over 13 times European champions True.
“When we beat Real Madrid, I couldn’t have imagined it,” he said.
To the start of February, he became worried.
“The players kept asking me why I’m so sad all the time. Has something happened to me? I kept saying nothing wrongma soon something will be “.
It’s his first love football however, this keeps Vernydub adrenaline pumping.
“Thinking about football motivates me, “he said.
“Football is my life. I hope in this war won’T last for long. We win and I’ll go back to my beloved work. “
A few months after the scripting one of the greatest upheavals in Champions League historySheriff Tiraspol coach Yuriy Vernydub is taking up arm in defense of his native Ukraine against the Russian in course invasion.
The 56-year-old told the BBC he didn’t hesitate in return home once his son he informed him last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had launched military action.
“My son he called me at 4:30 and told me that the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I would be back in Ukraine fight”He said.
Vernydub is one of several famous Ukrainian sports personalities, including world heavy boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, who are back home to fight.
Vernydub got the call while in Portugal for a Europa League playoff match – The sheriff lost on penalties at Braga after the 2-2 draw on aggregate.
While the sheriff plays in the Moldovan league comes from Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist state created after a civil war in following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Vernydub, who finished his playing career in Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, spent 11 hours in voyage home in Ukraine on On Saturday.
Many of his family tried to dissuade him.
“I thank my wife for supporting I, “he said.
“You know my character. If I make a decision I won’t change it.”
‘United us as a nation ‘
Vernydub says received two years of military training when he was younger and said, “I know how to use”Weapons.
At the time of in the BBC interview, he was 120 kilometers from the fighting.
“I am not authorized to reveal what is mine role And in the army, “he said.
“Now we are taught. In any minute we are ready to go where they say us to. I haven’t used my gun yet but I’m ready, always. At any time.”
His passion for this unexpected turn in life is clear.
“They (the Russians) said we are fascists, Nazis … I can’t even find my words to describe what they are doing,” he said.
“They are attacking the home civilians but only they say hit the military infrastructure. They are lying.
“I have no doubts in my mind that ukraine will win this war. I can not think of everything else. I’m sure of That. I have seen this united tragedy us as a nation “.
Vernydub says he had “total respect” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “People used to call him a clown, but he has proven himself to be a real boss, “he said.
Vernydub said his mind often drifts back in the evening in Madrid when the sheriff triumphed over 13 times European champions True.
“When we beat Real Madrid, I couldn’t have imagined it,” he said.
To the start of February, he became worried.
“The players kept asking me why I’m so sad all the time. Has something happened to me? I kept saying nothing wrongma soon something will be “.
It’s his first love football however, this keeps Vernydub adrenaline pumping.
“Thinking about football motivates me, “he said.
“Football is my life. I hope in this war won’T last for long. We win and I’ll go back to my beloved work. “