Croatia’s Kiev-Based Footballers Safe from Violence

The city of Kiev in the Ukraine is currently experiencing the worst bout of violence in the last 70 years, with the death toll on Thursday reaching 37 and rising as violent clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police continue. Two Croatian international footballers currently plying their trade in Kiev, have had their UEFA Europa league match transferred as a result of the troubles..

Ognjen Vukojević and Domagoj Vida’s Dynamo Kiev were set to face Valencia today att the Olympic stadium, but UEFA are not taking any chances with the game now moved to Cyprus. Thankfully Vukojević and Vida have not been caught up in any violence, despite living on the doorstep of the trouble.

“My apartment is in the centre of town, 5 minutes walk from Independent Square where the main action is. I have not been there however since 14 January when we left to go to Marbella in Spain for preparations, and we only got back two days ago. When we got back we went into camp in the forest, some 20 kilometres away from the centre of Kiev, said Vukojević, before adding.

“Vida and I the whole time have been safe, for us there is no problem. We are sorry for what is going on, we hope the situation in Kiev calms down,” he told daily Jutarnji list.