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The Europa League has been slammed by fans on Twitter after posting a light-hearted message on the same day as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The post, which has now been deleted, read: “HAPPY THURSDAY EVERYONE!"
It was published on the same morning that Russia launched a full-scale military assault on neighbouring Ukraine.
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Russian troops and tanks crossed the Ukrainian border on Thursday morning, while military targets across the country have been bombed.
According to the BBC, seven people are known to have been killed while there are reports that as many as hundreds of Ukrainian troops have died in the initial wave of Russian attacks.
Fans have hit out at the Europa League’s official account for posting the upbeat message on the same day.
One commented: “Jeez! Today, of all days, everyone who's in charge of official social media accounts with a big audience should THINK before they TWEET.”
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Another added: “Delete this tweet. Don't be ridiculous.”
A third wrote: “This is just about the worst social media post I have ever seen.”
Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko took to Instagram to launch a fierce attack on Putin in the wake of the invasion.
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In a post on his story, which has now been deleted, Zinchenko wrote: “I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature.”
Meanwhile, Dynamo Moscow striker Fyodor Smolov has become the first high-profile Russian player to voice their opposition to the war.
The Russia international posted an image of a black square to his Instagram account, alongside the caption: “No to war.”
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European football’s governing body, UEFA, is facing mounting pressure to move this season’s Champions League final, which is due to be hosted by Russia.
The Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg is set to stage the event on May 28 but UEFA is now drawing up plans to change the venue, with an emergency executive committee meeting called for Friday.
Topics: Europa League, Football, Russia
Rory O'Callaghan