Aleksander Ceferin: UEFA working 24/7 to get players out of Ukraine

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has revealed he is personally helping footballers trying to leave Ukraine and called for an end to the “madness” of Russia’s invasion of the country.

Earlier this week, European football’s governing body expelled Russian clubs and national teams from all competitions having already relocated this year’s Champions League final from St Petersburg.

Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, the 54-year-old explained some of the other work taking place behind the scenes.

Ceferin said from UEFA’s headquarters in Switzerland: “I was on the phone for 48 hours with players and coaches, foreign players and coaches, to help them to leave Ukraine during the war.

“We spoke 24 hours a day and I asked all the governments for help, but nobody could help because nobody could guarantee safety.

“Everyone said they should stay there because that’s the safest thing to do and I in a way understand the governments because it is hard for them to take the responsibility but we had to do it, together with the football association of Ukraine and all the neighbouring football associations.

“It is hard for me even to explain how tough, hard and sad those conversations were. One of those players when they successfully exited Ukraine came to my home two days ago. The other one was here today.

We are all just hoping and praying the war stops. This madness should stop as soon as possible.- Aleksander Ceferin

“You have to know I have photos from their side when they were there with families, with children of four and three months with bombs exploding outside. This is bigger than football and I am proud of the football family that the football family stood together and we helped as much as we could.

“We