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Defiant Ukraine Rugby League details how the sport worldwide can help

February 14, 2025

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BY STEVE MASCORD

THE Ukrainian Rugby League has demanded Russia and Belarus are suspended by the sport’s European and world bodies and outlined how the game’s worldwide community can best show its support for the besieged country.

rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads obtained a statement today from the Ukrainian Federation of Rugby League via its widely-respected national coach and European Rugby League development officer Artur Martyrosian.

In full, it reads: “Ukrainian Federation of Rugby League is breaking all connections with the aggressors – Russia and Belarus!!

“Until these countries change and condemn the criminal authorities that supported the attack on Ukraine our teams will not participate in any competitions in Russia and Belarus and will not host these teams in Ukraine!!

“Also we ask Rugby League umbrella organisations – European Rugby League and International Rugby League – to isolate teams from Russia and Belarus from participating in any international Rugby League competitions until the criminal regimes of governments in these countries are changed!!

“Glory to Ukraine!!!”

Martyrosian – whose personal circumstances in Kyiv are not clear – then added via Facebook: “Steve, we really need official messages (texts or videos) in Facebook and Instagram from all national rugby league Federations (or from rugby league clubs from your country) to stop the war in Ukraine and isolate Russia from all sports and other international events while the criminals who voted for the war in Ukraine, led by Putin, are in Russian government.

“And there will be judgment on them! And we want to know the official opinion of Russian Rugby League Federation (ARLCR).

“Many thanks for your support!”