Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Sergei Rebrov has promised to return to Ukraine to fight for his homeland.
Rebrov is currently the manager of Dubai-based Al Ain FC and revealed his intention to return home and ‘fight for freedom’ after his side win the UAE Pro League title.
Al Ain have just one match remaining this season when they travel to second-placed Al Wahda on Saturday.
The 47-year-old became Tottenham’s club record signing when he joined in an £11million deal from Dynamo Kiev in 2000 (Guardian).
Rebrov hit the headlines when he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Andriy Shevchenko at the Ukrainian club where they reached the semi final of the Champions League in 1999.
The former striker claimed he will ‘take to the streets’ with a ‘gun in his hand’ to ‘decide the fate of Ukraine’ following the invasion from Russia which has attracted condemnation from across the globe.
Rebrov has insisted that the the Ukraine people will ‘decide their future, not Vladimir Putin’.
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He told the Irish Independent: “I have a job here but as soon as my season is over, I will be back home, with my people. As soon as I can, I will go.
“I will fight. Everyone is going into the streets, we are united as a people.
“The world is asking how Ukrainians can protect their people.
“It’s because people will go in the streets and fight, everyone is united, we know what we have to do.
“Of course, we are not even thinking about football now, we are thinking about protecting our country.
“I am very proud of the people, the soldiers who are trying to save our country. We are on the right side, but we have to fight for our freedom.”
On his plans to help fight back against the invasion, he added: “Of course, I will take a gun in my hand.
“We will survive. We will win. I see no compromise as there is no compromise with [Vladimir] Putin, he only wants to go to Kviv and show he has occupied our country.
“He has no interest in compromise, we will fight for our people and stay to the end.
“We are now fighting for our country, we want to decide our fate, not have other people run our country or tell us what to do in the future.”
SpursWeb Opinion
The world has witnessed the determination and will of the Ukrainian people over the past fortnight as they battle against the disgraceful actions of Putin and his army.
Rebrov’s words certainly echo what we have seen from those affected by the invasion and their refusal to roll over.
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