Football clubs, players and fans across England came together to send messages and gestures of support for Ukraine on Saturday.
Banners, cards, pennants and TV screens in the blue and yellow halves of the Ukrainian flag proclaiming ‘Football Stands Together’ were displayed at Premier League games.
Two blue and yellow wreaths were laid on the pitch by Chelsea and Manchester City before the start of the Women’s Continental Cup final at Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn widespread international condemnation and the football community took the opportunity to demonstrate its opposition to the conflict and promote peace.
Team captains wore blue and yellow armbands, while players and coaching staff joined supporters in a minute’s applause to show their backing for the Ukrainian cause.
At some grounds, including Leicester’s King Power Stadium, bucket collections were made to aid victims of the conflict.
The images and scenes will be seen worldwide via the Premier League’s international broadcast partners, though Saturday’s games are not being shown in China, which is a close political ally of Russia.
Manchester City’s Ellen White and Chelsea’s Millie Bright carry wreaths on the pitch before the Women’s Continental Cup finalLiverpool fans sang the club’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ twice before the Premier League game with West Ham and held up a banner in the colours of the flag of UkraineBrighton, wearing their third-choice yellow and blue kit in solidarity with Ukraine join in a minute’s applause as Newcastle fans unveil a bannerLeicester and Leeds players took part in a minute’s applause before Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League gameSouthampton supporters took blue and yellow Saints scarves to Aston Villa to show their solidarity with UkraineBucket collections were made at grounds including Leicester’s King Power Stadium to aid humanitarian efforts during the conflictLeicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel wore a blue and yellow captain’s armband, as all 20 Premier League skippers will do this weekendBurnley and Chelsea players displayed their backing for Ukraine before kick-off at Turf MoorA young Wolves fan joins in the efforts to promote peace before Wanderers’ Premier League game against Crystal Palace at MolineuxThese Newcastle supporters donned Ukraine shirts, scarves and a flag to demonstrate their support before the game against BrightonNorwich players including goalkeeper Tim Krul wore warm-up shirts emblazoned with the Ukrainian flag before their game with BrentfordAston Villa and Southampton players take part in a minute’s applause for Ukraine before kick-off
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