Hasenhuttl: Tough to focus on ‘ridiculous football’ during ‘needless war’

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has admitted that he is struggling to concentrate on his job as Russia continue with their invasion of Ukraine.

The Austrian has welcomed the sporting sanctions that have been imposed on Russia.

The sister of Southampton defender Lyanco is among those to have fled Ukraine. Meanwhile, Poland international Jan Bednarek, along with his compatriots, has refused to face Russia in a World Cup qualification play-off.

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Southampton host Premier League rivals West Ham in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday evening.

The south-coast club will then wear their yellow and blue away kit – the same colours as the Ukrainian flag – for Saturday’s top-flight trip to Aston Villa, a pre-planned move which is being turned into a show of solidarity.

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“I think there is nobody around who is not talking about it because it affects us all,” Hasenhuttl said of the invasion.

“It’s a human catastrophe what happens and every team has players that are affected. We have with Lyanco, a sister who was in Ukraine but made it now back to Brazil, but you can see what it does with players and with everybody.

“I have been really struggling for one week to concentrate on my job, to concentrate on ridiculous football in the moment.

“The only good thing is that you have