Ukraine football team coming back to Brazil to train: FC Mariupol is preparing in Prudentopolis

Last year, because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many things changed overnight in Ukraine. FC Mariupol, a team participating in the domestic football tournament Ukrainian Premier League, also suddenly disappeared. This team represented the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. On March 19, 2022, the Mariupol team's match was with FC Kolos. Russia didn't even spare the team's stadium and training centre. The club's campus had been converted into an army home and the stadium was no longer there.
When the domestic tournament resumed in war-torn Ukraine this year, the Mariupol club did not have a single match scheduled. Everything in the team was ruined. The club's vice-president, Andrey Sanin, said, 'We were not able to play the match. This was very disturbing for us. We started thinking about how we can be remembered by the people.
He says, 'The name of Brazil comes to everyone's mind when it comes to football. There is a city in this Brazil, whose 80% population is Ukrainian. Out of 52 thousand inhabitants in the city of Prudentopolis, 39 thousand are from Ukraine. They have their own football club association Atlética Batel.' The Brazilian club is changing its name and jersey to support the Ukrainian club.
This club will be known as Mariupol Club in the next 6 games. Also, will wear Mariupol's jersey. Sanin explains that it gives him hope for a better future. It gives hope that our club is not finished nor can it be finished. Our club will be rebuilt like the city of Mariupol. Alex López, president of the Brazilian club, explains, “Our club, our region and Ukraine have a lot in common. The FC Mariupol team, which will take part in the football tournament Ukrainian Premier League, is preparing in Brazil.