Sport as a vehicle for peace and solidarity: the FIGC and Italian football once again stand united against the war and at the side of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Association of Football. With the support of UEFA, the FIGC has taken steps to allow Ukraine Under-17s to safely reach Italy ahead of the European Championship second qualifying phase, which is scheduled from 20 to 26 April in the province of Siena.

Yesterday morning, the Italian National Team bus arrived in Zahony, a town in Eastern Hungary that borders Ukraine, where a few members of the Ukrainian delegation as well as staff members and certain players got on board. The bus then stopped in Budapest and then Zagreb, picking up further players who are currently residing outside of the country, before reaching the Coverciano Technical Centre in the afternoon. The FIGC will host the Ukrainian youngsters at its headquarters until Tuesday, when they’ll head to Siena for the Elite Round of qualifying. The aim is to qualify for the tournament’s finals in Israel from 16 May to 1 June.

Ukraine’s U17s will be able to use the Technical Centre’s facilities and also make the most of the logistical support provided by the FIGC, allowing them to prepare as best they can despite the difficult circumstances. On the horizon are matches against Kosovo (Wednesday 20 April in Poggibonsi), Poland (Saturday 23 April in Colle Val d’Elsa) and Italy (on Tuesday 26 April at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Siena).

“Football is an extraordinary tool that can be used to highlight the values of friendship and brotherhood,” said President Gabriele Gravina. “The FIGC is playing a leading role in helping the Ukrainian people and Ukrainian football to overcome this terrible period. Despite what has been happening for far too many days, the Ukrainian Under-17 National Team have made it clear that they want to be involved in this UEFA qualifying tournament taking place in Italy. Therefore, we made ourselves available and offered to host them and let them train, giving them the chance to fully express themselves out on the pitch. It provides the opportunity for us to reaffirm a strong ‘no to war’ message and our unconditional support for the Ukrainian federation.”

THE FIGC FOR UKRAINE. The FIGC have launched several initiatives to support the Ukrainian people. The latest one stems from its partnership with the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, to which part of the proceeds from the match between Italy and North Macedonia (€21,000) were donated assist efforts to admit Ukrainian children and families fleeing the war. Around 200 Ukrainian patients have already been looked after by doctors at the Bambino Gesù, with 40 currently hospitalised with serious illnesses or war injuries. Five of them are being treated at the Paediatric Palliative Care Centre, which was recently opened by the Hospital thanks also to a donation from the FIGC.

With the Ukrainian crisis in mind, in the next few days, the FIGC will also donate PUMA sports and casual clothing to the Italian Red Cross, who will then pass on the items to the most vulnerable people in areas of conflict (10,000 articles worth over €220,000 in total). In recent weeks, Federation employees have also participated in the collection of food, medicines and other basic necessities, all of which will be sent to Ukraine.

Immediately after the start of the war, the Federation established that minors from Ukraine could become registered members at amateur level and in the Youth and School Sector until the end of the season. The FIGC also announced it would cover membership fees and insurance costs.

Furthermore, thanks to the joint efforts of UEFA, the FIGC and the Italian Referees’ Association, Italy opened its doors to Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul, who has been able to continue her career and leave behind the logistical difficulties caused by the conflict. One of the best female referees in Europe, Monzul made her debut in Italy on 20 March, when she took charge of the women’s Serie A TimVision match between Inter and Sampdoria.

EUROPEAN UNDER-17 CHAMPIONSHIP – ELITE ROUND – GROUP 6

Schedule (all times CEST)
Wednesday 20 April
12:00 – Kosovo vs. Ukraina (Stadio Comunale Stefano Lotti in Poggibonsi)
15:00 – Italy vs. Poland (Stadio Artemio Franchi in Siena)
Saturday 23 April
12:00 – Ukraine vs. Poland (Stadio Comunale Gino Manni in Colle Val d’Elsa)
15:00 – Kosovo vs. Italy (Stadio Comunale Stefano Lotti in Poggibonsi)
Tuesday 26 April
15:00 – Ukraine vs. Italy (Stadio Artemio Franchi in Siena)
15:00 – Poland vs. Kosovo (Stadio Comunale Gino Manni in Colle Val d’Elsa)