​Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Serhii Palkin reflects on impact of war on Ukrainian football club

NEW DELHI: With Ukraine commemorating the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, the impact of the war on various aspects of life, including sports, comes to the forefront. Serhii Palkin, the CEO of Ukraine's most successful football club, Shakhtar Donetsk, shared his experiences and challenges amidst the ongoing conflict.
Palkin, who assumed the role of Shakhtar Donetsk's CEO in 2004, faced a drastic shift in his responsibilities as the invasion unfolded.While the football club had previously been the focus of his role, Palkin found himself managing crisis situations and ensuring the safety of players amid constant bombardment.


In an interview with CNN Sport, Palkin discussed the profound changes in his personal and professional life, emphasizing the mental and psychological toll of living through the war. He highlighted the tragic loss of six individuals associated with the club since the conflict began, saying, “We are all suffering from everything that’s going on. Two years is a huge term to stay in these kinds of conditions … a very big impact on your psychological stability, on your moral aspects.”
The war forced Shakhtar to become an itinerant club, facing logistical challenges and spending days traveling by bus to reach match locations. Palkin acknowledged the physical and mental strain on players, emphasizing that their commitment to playing in wartime demonstrated their heroism.
Despite the hardships, football returned to Ukraine by the end of 2022, with the Premier League resuming, albeit without fans. Palkin stressed that everything the club did was geared towards supporting the war effort, whether through charity matches, raising funds, or providing positive news to the football-loving population.
“My life completely changed and I started to be involved in crisis management. This is the most important thing I dealt with and deal with now,” he said, “Because of the war, we have this crisis everywhere.”
However, Palkin criticized FIFA for adopting a ruling that allowed international players and coaches to suspend their contracts with Ukrainian and Russian clubs. This decision led to several Shakhtar players leaving the club for free, leaving behind financial burdens.

He further added, “For us to continue to play football and to concentrate 100% on the game is very difficult because you’re always thinking about what’s going on at home, with your parents, with your family."
While facing challenges in signing new players amid uncertainty, Palkin remained optimistic about Shakhtar's future, emphasizing the power of football to influence and bring positive change. Despite the difficulties, he expressed confidence that the club could emerge from these trying times in a strong position.
Shakhtar Donetsk, now competing in the Europa League after failing to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds, continue their journey with a play-off match against Marseille in Hamburg, Germany, reflecting the ongoing impact of the war on the club's operations.
(Inputs from agencies)