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      in Soccer

      Inside Mudryk’s £88m deal to join Chelsea including £20.5m to soldiers fighting Russia and friendly in Ukraine

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      THE INCREDIBLE details of Mykhailo Mudryk’s £88million move to Chelsea have been revealed.The Ukrainian winger officially sealed his transfer to Chelsea over the weekend after the Blues usurped their London rivals Arsenal.
      Chelsea officially unveiled Mykhaylo Mudryk as their new signing on SundayCredit: Getty
      Shakhtar Donetsk president Rinat Akhmetov has revealed the full details of the transferCredit: Getty
      He is giving £20.5m of the fee to Ukrainian soldiers to help them fight the invading Russian troopsCredit: Reuters
      Graham Potter’s team will play Shakhtar in a friendly in a ‘Ukrainian Donetsk’ tooCredit: Getty
      The 22-year-old was at Stamford Bridge yesterday in a VIP box to watch his new teammates beat Crystal Palace 1-0.
      Chelsea confirmed the transfer in a statement and Mudryk has signed an incredible eight-and-a-half year deal.

      It is understood Chelsea will pay £62m up front, with up to £26m in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential total to an eye-watering £88m.
      Now Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov has provided full details of the transfer package, revealing the Premier League club have agreed to play them in a friendly in Donetsk as part of the deal.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      And Akhmetov is also giving £20.5m of the transfer fee to Ukrainian soldiers to help them fight the invading Russian troops in their homeland.
      Akhmetov said: “FC Shakhtar has signed a final agreement with Chelsea FC and thus Ukrainian footballer Mykhaylo Mudryk will continue his career with the Blues in the strongest national championship, the English Premier League.
      “First and foremost, I want to thank the entire civilised world for helping Ukraine.
      “Today we are able to talk about Ukrainian football thanks to the Ukrainian army, the Ukrainian people, and the tremendous support of the entire civilised world. Only by joining efforts we will defeat the evil that has come to our homes.
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      “I have never made it a secret that my dream is to win European trophies. This means that players like Mudryk should be invited to our club, to our Ukrainian championship, and we should win European trophies with such players, rather than root for them, even when they play in the world’s top clubs. 
      “Unfortunately, it is impossible now, as Ukraine is fighting the horrendous and unjust war waged against us by the Russian Federation. But I am confident that we will win.
      “And we will play a friendly against Chelsea at Donbass Arena in a Ukrainian Donetsk.”
      Akhmetov added: “That is why I have made a decision to launch the Heart of Azovstal, a project designed to help Mariupol defenders and the families of fallen soldiers. Their acts of bravery are unparalleled in the modern history. 
      “I am allocating $25 million [£20.5m] today to help our soldiers, defenders, and their families. The money will be used to cover different needs — from providing medical and prosthetic treatment and psychological support to meeting specific requests. 
      “To ensure transparency, the project will have a professional independent team that will be in touch with the Azovstal defenders, their families, care providers, and volunteers.”
      After signing on the dotted line, Mudryk said: “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea.
      “This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career.
      “I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”
      Mudryk held a Ukrainian flag as he was officially unveiled on the pitch on Sunday – less than a year since Russian Roman Abramovich’s reign in charge ended after his country’s invasion of their neighbours in February 2022.
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      He announced his intention to sell Chelsea, the club he had owned since 2003, the following month following sanctions from the UK government.
      That led to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital taking over and launching their big-spending spree on new signings.
      Mykhailo Mudryk wore a Ukrainian flag during his official presentation on the pitchCredit: Getty
      His arrival comes less than a year after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside tragic stadium where England last played France that’s now shelled and gutted in the middle of a warzone

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      THE stadium where England last played France in a competitive match just 10 years ago is today in a miserable state, struck by shelling and in the middle of a warzone.Ukraine’s Donbass Arena was the site of four games during the Euro 2012 tournament, but today, it is essentially abandoned, caught up in Russia’s brutal invasion.
      The stadium was shelled in 2014Credit: Twitter/FCShakhtar_eng
      That year, the stadium was caught up in fighting with Russian-backed separatists
      It suffered severe shelling when Russian-backed forces raised the flag of the DPR
      Earlier this year, Russian state media claimed the stadium had been shelled again
      It shared footage purportedly showing shell craters outside the arena
      The stadium hosted five games at Euro 2012Credit: PA:Press Association
      It hosted England’s last competitive game with France, a 1-1 draw on June 11, 2012, during the group stage.
      The Three Lions took the lead thanks to a header from Joleon Lescott but were pegged back before halftime thanks to a fine finish from his then-Manchester City teammate Samir Nasri.
      And the stadium would also be the sight of another England match eight days later when a single Wayne Rooney goal helped his team to a nervy 1-0 win over hosts Ukraine.
      In total, the stadium would be used for five games during the tournament, the final time being the semi-final between Portugal and eventual-winners Spain.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
      England face France in the first competitive game between the two sides in a decade on Saturday, in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
      Completed in 2009, the Donbass Arena was one of eight venues used for Euro 2012, which was jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland.
      With a capacity of just over 52,000, it was the third-largest stadium in the tournament.
      It was one of five newly-built stadiums used, costing a total of $400million (£329m in today’s money).
      Most read in The Sun
      Top firm ArupSport, who also designed Manchester City’s Etihad Arena and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena were brought in to create the complex.
      With its soaring roof illuminated at night, its design was compared to a flying saucer.
      The stadium was also home to local club Shakhtar Donetsk, who won the Europa League in 2009 just months before moving into their new stadium.
      Fulham were the first UK team to play at the stadium when they earned a 1-1 draw in the Europa League on February 25, 2010, en-route to the final later that year.

      Arsenal were beaten 2-1 at the stadium in a Champions League clash on November 3, 2010, and the team would claim another Premier League scalp in October 2012 when they beat Chelsea 2-1.
      The last English side to play at the Donbass Arena was Manchester United, who drew 1-1 on October 2, 2013, in the Champions League.
      As well as football, the stadium was used as a concert venue, hosting Beyonce’s first-ever Ukraine concert for its grand opening in 2009.
      As a result of shelling, there are numerous damages of the northwestern facade of the stadiumShakhtar Donetsk
      But the stadium was dramatically shut in 2014 after fighting broke out between Russian-backed forces and Ukraine in the east of the country.
      In August 2014, less than a year after Man Utd played there, the stadium was shelled in the war, damaging its outside.
      Pictures and videos showed heavy damage to the turnstiles and entrances to the arena.
      The football club’s official Twitter revealed that the stadium was hit by two explosions in the early hours of the morning.
      “On 23 August, at 6:00, two powerful explosions occurred at Donbass Arena,” it said.
      “As a result of shelling, there are numerous damages of the northwestern facade of the stadium, communications, equipment and detached building of the energy centre, which is located in the northern part of the Donbass Arena park.
      “There are no casualties among the stadium staff.”
      By this point, the club had already moved out of its home, relocating more than 600 miles west to Lviv, far from the front line.
      Fighting between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists has continued on and off ever since, making it unsafe for Shakhtar to return.
      In 2018, the Russian state media agency DAN claimed the turf at the arena had been repaired, quoting the stadium’s technical director Valery Gavrilov at the time.
      He also said the official Shakhtar Donetsk museum was being reopened.
      With Russia launching an all-out invasion of Ukraine in February this year, the city of Donetsk has seen an upsurge in shelling.
      In March, Russian state TV channel Rossiya-1 claimed that the Donbass Arena had been shelled by Ukrainian forces.
      The channel claimed without evidence that “dozens of people were injured” in the shelling, and that Kyiv’s forces were “targeting civilian objects” such as the stadium.
      It shared footage showing shell craters just metres from the stadium, as well as a number of shattered windows on its outside.
      The Donbass Arena has not hosted a game since 2014, when Shakhtar defeated Illichivets Mariupol 3-1 to secure their fifth straight league title, but barely 18,000 turned up due to the looming conflict.
      Two days later the flag of the Donetsk People’s Republic was illegally raised over the city and Ukrainian forces responded with shelling.
      Read More on The Sun
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      It isn’t known when if ever the stadium will be used again, with Donetsk being declared part of Russia by Vladimir Putin in September.
      For now, the venue remains an eerie reminder of the fragility of peace in Europe.
      The Donbass Arena in eastern Ukraine has been unused for eight yearsCredit: AFP
      The stadium hosted England’s last competitive match with France at Euro 2012Credit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Ukrainian boxer Denis Berinchyk wears full military uniform for ring walk on Tyson Fury vs Derek Chisora undercard

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      UKRAINIAN boxer Denys Berinchyk made a powerful statement by donning a full soldier’s outfit as he made his way to the ring.Berinchyk showed solidarity with his fellow Ukrainians fighting off a near year-long Russian invasion ahead of his clash with Yvan Mendy by coming out in military attire.
      Ukrainian Denys Berinchyk wore full military uniform for his ring walkCredit: BR
      The proud Ukrainian donned the attire to pay tribute to his countrymen fighting in the warCredit: GETTY
      A member of his team – which included Oleksandr Usyk – proudly donned the Ukrainian flagCredit: GETTY
      Berinchyk and Yvan Mendy went to war for 12 roundsCredit: Reuters
      His outfit included a helmet and what appeared to be a bulletproof vest – which had the flag of his homeland emblazoned across it.
      Boxing fans were quick to comment on the touching tribute, with one saying: “Now THAT’S a tribute.
      Another said: “Denys Berinchyk honours his home country.”
      And another said: “LEGEND.”
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      One remarked: “That’s tough AF.”
      Another chimed in: “Thousand dead and “250k wounded Ukrainians in 9 months.
      “I wouldn’t want to get in a ring with someone coming from that mess.
      “It makes every other conflict on earth look like child’s play.”
      Most read in Boxing
      Rising super-featherweight Royston Barney Smith kicked off the card with a stunning performance against Cruz Perez.

      Fury vs Chisora 3: Date, live stream and TV info for huge heavyweight bout
      The 18-year-old southpaw blew the veteran Nicaraguan out of the water in just over a minute to take his record to a perfect 4-0.
      Light-heavyweight prospect Karol Itauma was also in action on the card, scoring an eighth-round TKO victory over Vladimir Belujsky.
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      in Boxing

      Oleksandr Usyk ‘opens door to fight against Alexander Povetkin in a Ukraine vs Russia boxing battle’

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      OLEKSANDR USYK has reportedly opened the door to a Ukraine versus Russia boxing battle against Alexander Povetkin. The pound-for-pound star this year enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence after Russia’s invasion.
      Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly opened the door to fighting Alexander PovetkinCredit: Reuters
      Russian Alexander Povetkin is retired from boxing
      But he left his homeland in the summer to train for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, 33, which he won on points in August.
      Usyk, 35, has since returned to his family in the war-torn country and shelved a unification bout with Tyson Fury, 34, after doing so.
      The heavyweight, who branded Vladimir Putin “very weak”, was quizzed on fighting Russians.
      In response, he told Polish site Interia: “What’s this for? I’ve beaten them so many times!”
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      In his professional career, Usyk has only beaten two opponents from Russia but made a career out of it during his amateur reign.
      Povetkin, 43, retired from boxing in June 2021 after being knocked out in his rematch with Dillian Whyte, 34.
      Asked about a potential fight, Usyk said: “Well, I would have done that. I’d have no choice but to slap him hard.”
      Fury, 34, returns on December 3 in a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora, 38, who he beat one-sidedly in 2011 and 2014.
      Most read in Boxing
      But talks are already underway for the heavyweight division’s first ever four-belt undisputed bout next year in Saudi Arabia.
      Usyk said: “We’ll have to come to terms with this. Sport is sport and business is business.
      “For me, boxing is just a sport, and for those who organize it, it’s big business. There are two boxers in the ring. Their job is to box.
      “Everything else is organizers, sponsors and many other factors to be considered.
      “As soon as we establish everything, we will come to an agreement, we will sign official documents – we will work.”
      Oleksandr Usyk, promoter Bob Arum and Tyson FuryCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Russia’s Churchill Pub where punters swill London Pride, eat fish & chips and will cheer on ENGLAND at World Cup

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      WITH St George’s flags hanging on walls, paintings of Winston Churchill, London Pride on tap, and fish & chips on the menu – you could be fooled into thinking you are in a classic British boozer.But then you remember you are in the middle of Moscow and you aren’t in a Wetherspoons, you are actually in Churchill’s Pub – one of the home’s of English football in Russia.
      The Russian Lions will be supporting England from their beloved Churchill’s Pub in Moscow
      An England banner flies behind the bar in Churchill’s
      Millwall fans enjoy a pint of London Pride and a plate of fish and chips at Churchill’s Pub
      The pub’s World Cup display – featuring a St George’s flag
      Maxim and some of the punters enjoy a pint
      Pictures from inside the pub show a loving crafted tribute to English football and British culture – with portraits of monarchs such as King George V.
      There are piles of football scarves, hanging footie strips and other memorabilia plastered around the pub – most of which is for the punters’ club of choice, Millwall.
      And in the middle of the front window is a giant St George’s flag hanging around a mannequin clad in a Churchillian suit and bowler hat next to a sign for London Pride.
      Next to the dummy is a World Cup – as the patrons this year have vowed to back England despite tensions over the Ukraine war between the UK and Russia.

      And while the punters told The Sun Online they currently can’t get London Pride in Russia due to sanctions, they have plenty of other beers on the menu.
      You can get hold of Hobgoblin, Bishops Finger, Ghost Ship, Theakstons and plenty of others – along with various variants of Scotch.
      It even has its own Churchill’s Draught Ale – complete with a pump that resembles the World War 2 leader’s hat and dickie bow.
      The food menu is also brimming with plenty of classic pub grub – with options for pies, burgers and of course fish & chips.
      Most read in Football
      Churchill’s Pub also has a traditional red phone box outside – and makes sure to show English matches on TV.
      And it of course will be showing the World Cup.
      Maxim Prokhoroenko, one of the pub’s regulars and the head of the Millwall Supporters Club in Russia, told The Sun Online about his love for Churchill’s Pub.
      “It has that unique English pub’s atmosphere. That’s why we chose it as a home for Russian Lions,” explained Maxim.
      But he bemoaned the absence of his favourite beer London Pride.
      “Russia is under sanctions now, so we can’t get it now, either we still have good choice of ales, lagers and spirits,” he told The Sun Online.
      Russian fans who gather at Churchill’s Pub are unashamed Anglophiles – and they will be cheering on England in Qatar.
      The war has made things tough for the Russian Lions – and they have called for peace, urging Putin to stop the “madness” in Ukraine.
      But all the troubles won’t stop them backing the Three Lions.
      He added however they don’t hang their flags or carry them outside anymore due to the politics.
      “We will support England. My strong opinion is that the sport is above the politics,” Maxim told The Sun Online.
      “The political situation between our countries is not good, but it’s just football.”
      The pub is the home of Millwall supporters in Russia
      Piles of football scarves at Churchill’s Pub – with Millwall at the topCredit: Maxim Prokhorenko
      Millwall legends are honoured at the pubCredit: Maxim Prokhorenko
      English ale Bishop’s Finger is also a favourite of the Russian Millwall fans
      The World Cup ready for the start of the tournament on Monday
      It has a portrait of Winston Churchill hanging inside
      The fans gather every week to watch their beloved Millwall
      The pub is bedecked with footie memorabilia, pictures of Churchill and flags
      He went on: “I have many friends in UK, we keep on chatting, they are sending me pictures and videos from The Den, I hope I will be able to come to London to see my Millwall again.”
      Maxim said he believes England “deserves” to win the 2022 World Cup after the Three Lions heartbreakingly missed out at Euro 2020 in a gut-wrenching penalty shootout against Italy.
      He and his pals will be adding their cheers and chants for England some 2,000 miles from Doha, 1,600 miles from the UK.
      Maxim said: “England every tournament has a very strong team, but every time after 1966 something is going wrong. I can’t explain this magic.”
      He joked that England should replace Gareth Southgate with a manager like bumbling fictional coach Mike Bassett and play “four, four, f***ing two”.
      However, despite vowing the cheer on England – he said he didn’t know who will win the World Cup.
      “I don’t want to be like Pele saying rubbish predictions every time,” Maxim told The Sun Online, but added he thinks Serbia could have a chance to pull off a shock.
      Russia will not be competing the World Cup this year despite being the host nation in 2018.
      FIFA kicked the side out after numerous nations vowed to refuse to play against the final stages of qualification due to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
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      The war has seen Russia become an pariah state – with strained relations at the UK, US and other Western nations at breaking point sparking fears of World War 3.
      However, Maxim and his friends have vowed rise above it all in the name of a shared international love of the beautiful game. More

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      in Soccer

      Russia’s secret invasion of Qatar’s World Cup with big tech deals and sexy performers

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      RUSSIA has invaded the World Cup by clinching big business mega deals worth millions – and sending sexy performers to star in Qatar’s glitzy fan zone shows.Vladimir Putin’s bloodbath in Ukraine has earned his nation pariah status – including a total ban from football by Fifa.
      Russian singer and actress Maria Rutsoba will be performing in QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      Maria is one of around a thousand Russians believed to be in QatarCredit: Dan Charity
      But hosts Qatar have stuck to deals with Putin’s oligarch cronies cut before the war guaranteeing the Russian economy millions, despite economic sanctions.
      A Sun probe has revealed Russian phone and tech companies, caterers and VIP chauffeur services are all in use in Doha.
      A World Cup insider in Doha said: “There are already hundreds – if not thousands – of Russians working here on the World Cup.”
      It is not just bigwigs who are in Qatar.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP
      Singer and actress Maria Rubtsova, 24, is starring in a show on Doha’s corniche fan zone.
      Maria, from Moscow, is distraught though, thinking of her father Alexandr, 54, who is fighting in the Ukraine.
      She said: “I don’t support Putin and have no idea why he started this war – but my dad said it was his duty to fight and volunteered.”
      She added: “I can’t stop thinking about what my dad is going through and whether I’ll ever see him again.”
      Most read in The Sun
      Qatar’s World Cup Supreme Committee declined to comment on The Sun’s findings last night.
      Maria says she worries she may not see her dad again, who is part of Putin’s armyCredit: Dan Charity
      Vladimir Putin struck deals with Qatar which have been honouredCredit: Reuters More

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      in Boxing

      7ft boxing legend Nikolai Valuev, 49, rushed to hospital in Moscow after being drafted to fight for Putin in Ukraine

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      FORMER boxing World Champion and pro-Putin politician Nikolai Valuev has been mysteriously rushed to hospital weeks after he was drafted to fight in Ukraine.Russian state media reports that the 7-foot colossus, who once fought David Haye, was sped to a Moscow hospital on Thursday night.
      Former boxing world champion Nikolai Valuev has been hospitalised in RussiaCredit: Getty
      Valuev once fought Brit David Haye before turning to politicsCredit: Getty
      He is now an MP for the pro-Putin United Russia partyCredit: AFP
      Valuev announced he had received a draft notice in SeptemberCredit: Getty
      A picture of Valuev was shared online claiming that he was now wellCredit: Telegram
      Reports in the Russian magazine Life claim he was hospitalised after complaining about leg problems.
      However, his spokesperson has issued a bizarre denial, claiming: “No one broke his legs.”
      Valery Kuzenkov told the publication: “Nikolai Sergeevich jumps, dances. Yesterday he was in the State Duma until late.
      “No one broke his legs, and no one put him in the hospital. He is alive and well, smiling and walking on two legs. Now he is at home.”
      READ MORE ON RUSSIA
      Valuev has now given a cryptic statement thanking his fans for their concern, but not confirming or denying that he was hospitalised.
      “Thank you all for your concern and well wishes,” he wrote in his channel on the messaging app Telegram. “Everything is fine. We are working.”
      He also said that he was continuing to work, and would be commenting on upcoming boxing matches this weekend.
      “Tomorrow there will be fights on Channel One,” he said. “As usual, I will comment on what is happening in the ring. See you on the First.”
      It comes less than two months after Valuev was called up to fight in Ukraine.
      Most read in Boxing
      On September 29, he published photos on social media of a summons letter to report to his nearest draft office, and wrote: “If the Motherland calls, I will go.”
      But since then, he has given no indication of when he might go to Ukraine, and said he wouldn’t invite the media to go with him so they “did not do PR on this”.
      Valuev made his professional boxing debut in October 1993, retiring in 2010 after 52 fights.
      He won 50, including 34 by knockout, and became Russia’s first World Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 2005.
      Valuev held the WBA title between 2005 and 2007 and reclaimed it in 2009 shortly before hanging up his gloves for good.
      He was forced to retire in 2010 due to a benign brain tumour.
      Read More on The Sun
      After retiring in 2009, Valuev went into politics and joined the Russian parliament or Duma in 2011 as a member of the Putin-backing United Russia party.
      He is also a Bigfoot obsessive, who has spent many years trying to track down the elusive creature in the wilds of Siberia.
      Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine FundPICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
      Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
      Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
      Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
      Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
      £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10
      Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
      The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
      In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
      For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund More

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      in Soccer

      Boy, 12, signs for Dundee Utd after fleeing war-torn Ukraine and not being able to play football for months

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      DUNDEE UNITED have signed a boy whose family had to flee from Ukraine after the country was invaded by Russia.Stanislav Drbych, 12, settled with his family in Monifieth, Scotland and his skills with the ball were quickly noticed by his school.
      Stanislav Drbych has been signed by Scottish side DundeeCredit: Twitter/@BBCSportScot
      He admitted he had forgotten how to play footballCredit: Twitter/@BBCSportScot
      “Before the war I didn’t worry that bombs could kill my friends.”Stanislav Drabych, a 12-year-old boy who fled the war in Ukraine with his family to Scotland, says signing for Dundee United is “like Christmas Day”.#BBCFootball— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) November 8, 2022

      His head teacher sent a message to Dundee about Stas, and the club responded by offering him a trial which he completed in September.
      After joining the club, the youngster revealed that he is very happy to be able to play football again.
      He told the BBC: “It’s like Christmas Day, I can play football again.
      “Before I moved from Ukraine, I didn’t play for three months. I forgot what football means and how to play football – now I’m happy.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      “If we stay in Scotland I’ll play for Dundee United – because they helped me I’ll help them to win the Scottish league.”
      Dundee’s head of player care, education and safeguarding, Niall Nicolson added: “We take player care very seriously at Dundee United and have done all we can to help Stas and his family.
      “His dad was also out of work initially, so we helped with transport to training and also used Google Translate on the phone to communicate.
      “Stas also got the chance, as other academy players do, to be the ball boy at a game. He loved the experience and we’ll do all we can to help him – and all players under our care – feel at home at Dundee United.”
      Most read in FOOTBALL
      Stas used to play for Lviv academy Rukh while he was in Ukraine, which was a residential school that also provided training.
      After fleeing Ukraine with his father, mother, and siblings, Stas admitted that he is still worried about his friends back in his home country.
      He said: “I’m scared. Before the war, the life was happy.
      “I wasn’t very worried about anything but now I’m worried about my friends, worried about shelling and worried they might be killed.” More