Fonseca recounts ukraine war horrors, mondial boycott call
Lion coach fonseca reflects on ukraine war
Paulo Fonseca, the current coach of Lyon and former AC Milan manager, has shared harrowing details of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His account, published in L'Equipe, details the terrifying experience of sheltering from bombs in Kyiv with fellow football figures like Roberto De Zerbi. Fonseca, who has strong ties to Ukraine through his wife, expressed his deep concern over the escalating conflict and criticized Donald Trump's role in weakening international resolve.
Personal ordeal amid bombing
Fonseca vividly remembers the morning of the invasion, recalling the sound of bombs at his Kyiv apartment. He describes the chaotic scenes of people fleeing the city, and the desperate journey to safety. “Our apartment is on the top floor. At 5 a.m. I heard the sound of bombs hitting the city, a sound I will never forget,” Fonseca stated. He and De Zerbi were invited to a hotel with a bunker, where they spent a terrifying night with around 60 members of the Shakhtar Donetsk club.
Escape from ukraine
The escape from Kyiv was perilous. With the help of the Portuguese embassy, Fonseca and others embarked on a 30-hour journey to Moldova. The trip involved navigating air raid sirens, avoiding Russian troops, and traveling without essential supplies. “The traffic below was blocked because everyone was trying to flee. An acquaintance from Shakhtar called me inviting me to join them at a hotel owned by the club that had a bunker,” he explained.
Criticism of trump's role
Fonseca sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump, blaming him for emboldening Russia and weakening Europe. He believes Trump’s policies have left Ukraine vulnerable. “The attacks by Russia are becoming increasingly serious and deadly. Things have worsened with Trump because he has weakened Ukraine and Europe. It's a situation that infuriates me,” Fonseca said. He expressed a desire for more leaders like Emmanuel Macron, who he believes has shown courage in confronting Russia.
World cup boycott suggestion
Given the ongoing conflict, Fonseca suggested the possibility of a boycott of the FIFA World Cup in North America. He questioned FIFA President Gianni Infantino's stance on allowing Russia to participate in future European competitions. “I don’t know if football is the way to protest, but there are unacceptable things such as the fact that Infantino can think that Russia can return to European competitions. Infantino, like Trump, only thinks about his economic interests,” he asserted.
Family's new life in portugal
Fonseca’s family now resides in Portugal. However, his wife yearns to return to her homeland. The family's experience underscores the profound human cost of the Ukraine war and the enduring hope for peace. The Russian attacks and the subsequent escape have left an indelible mark on Fonseca and his family.