Shakhtar Donetsk chief pledges top security for club’s Brazilian stars

The Shakhtar Donetsk players that have refused to return to their club in the wake of the tense situation in the region, exacerbated in the past week with the shooting down of a passenger plane by an as yet unknown party, have had their security guaranteed by the club’s Technical Director Sergei Palkin. Following the […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-07-23 13:49:00

The Shakhtar Donetsk players that have refused to return to their club in the wake of the tense situation in the region, exacerbated in the past week with the shooting down of a passenger plane by an as yet unknown party, have had their security guaranteed by the club’s Technical Director Sergei Palkin.

Following the end of a pre-season tour in France, the likes of Alex Teixeira, Douglas Costa and Dentinho, amongst others, have declined the chance to go back to Ukraine for fear of any further conflict, but Palkin told reporters: “I would emphasize that the issue of player safety is the top priority of our club.”

“Shakhtar will settle, train and only play in the cities where our team is guaranteed security.”

“Of course, nobody wants to take the players into conflict or, in general, to any location where there is the slightest doubt as to the safety of the team.”

The Ukranian league campaign gets underway this weekend, and defending champions Shakhtar are due to play at home against Metalurg Zaporizhya on Sunday.