Mykola Matviyenko writes open letter to London football fans as Stamford Bridge host Shakhtar Donetsk games

Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge will host Shakhtar’s “home” games in the competition, as the Ukrainian champions take on Greek side AEK Athens, Portuguese powerhouses Sporting, Turkish giants Fenerbahce and European royalty in Real Madrid.

“Dear football fans,” Matviyenko wrote.

“On behalf of everyone at Shakhtar Donetsk, thank you for welcoming us to your city as we host our UEFA Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge this season. London is one of the greatest football cities in the world, and we are pleased to make it our home for our European campaign.

“The Champions League is about quality football, thrilling matches and exciting emotions. But above all, it is about the fans. It is about packed stadiums and passionate support for the home team.

“Shakhtar once had that kind of support at our home ground, the Donbas Arena, in Donetsk. Unforgettable times, when every one of our matches attracted more than 50,000 fans to what was then one of the best and most modern stadiums in Europe. With this amazing support, we could compete with the best in Europe: Arsenal, Roma, Juventus and Barcelona. The Champions League at our arena was truly incredible.

“Due to the war that came to Ukraine in 2014, our lives changed dramatically. We lost our city, our stadium, our home. But we have never stopped competing.

“We have been forced to play every match away from Donetsk for more than 12 years, in four home stadiums across Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, our European home matches have had to be played outside our country too.

“We are happy to say we have received warm welcomes in our adopted homes of Poland and Germany. We know it will be the same in the United Kingdom.

“Footballers are normally very focused on routine and stability, so our current reality is not easy, especially when you are playing against the best teams in the world. At home, our team faces challenges - from air raid sirens that force players to leave the pitch to missile strikes that disrupt our preparations.

“In Europe, travel is demanding. Our journeys to home matches in London will last around 12 hours, as the team travels by bus and plane through Ukraine and Poland. However, we will prepare well and we know what to do to recover for games.

“For people across Ukraine, everyday life is far from normal. Whatever difficulties we face as a team, we are lucky by comparison, and they are nothing next to the sacrifices our citizens and soldiers are making.

Stamford Bridge will host Shakhtar’s “home” games in the Champions League this season

Getty

“That is why we are so grateful to be able to make a contribution by representing the country on the world stage. We hope to use the opportunity to bring joy and pride to our people, and to spread a positive message about our country.

“We are driven every day to give back to the fans who power us forward. Our loyal supporters have found a way to follow Shakhtar for all these 12 years away from our home. Wherever we play, we feel their support and energy. So we will never stop fighting - for the club, for Ukraine, for every one of our fans.

“For this new chapter in our history, Shakhtar needs the tremendous support of our loyal fans and of anyone who loves the game. We will play our home matches at the legendary Stamford Bridge and we invite football fans in London – the Ukrainian community and simply everyone who is a fan of football – to support us.

“We can assure you that you will see a team that never gives up, that always tries to play beautiful football and gives fans unforgettable emotions!

“We look forward to seeing you at the Bridge for Shakhtar's UEFA Champions League matches.”