Fred becomes the first Brazilian to return to Shakhtar Donetsk

The 21-year-old was one of six players who refused to return to Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk because of concerns over the conflict in Ukraine. Donetsk is located in pro-Russian rebel-held territory but the club confirmed on Wednesday that the squad will now reside and train in Kiev – over 600 miles west of Donetsk – and travel to […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-07-24 23:12:00

The 21-year-old was one of six players who refused to return to Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk because of concerns over the conflict in Ukraine.

Donetsk is located in pro-Russian rebel-held territory but the club confirmed on Wednesday that the squad will now reside and train in Kiev – over 600 miles west of Donetsk – and travel to Lviv for Champions League and domestic games.

Club president Rinat Akhmetov has warned that players who do not return from France, where the club played a friendly last weekend, may face sanctions.

Chief executive Sergei Palkin said: “Many of them are scared. We are in the persuasion phase that Ukraine is safe. I hope to get this sorted out. If not, we have the other mechanisms to deal with it.”

The decision to relocat has already persuaded Fred to return while Brazilian defender Ismaily is expected back “in a few days”. Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Dentinho and Facundo, however, are still absent.