Shakhtar president: This league title is one of the hardest and most valuable in the history of our club
FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov addressed the fans on the occasion of the champion's title of the club:
- The 14th league title is probably one of the hardest and most valuable in the history of our club. Shakhtar won it in extremely difficult conditions, in time of war, when our country is facing Russian aggression. Therefore, first of all, I want to thank men and women defenders of Ukraine. Those who sacrifice themselves for freedom and independence of Ukraine, for us and our future. Those, thanks to whom the championship was held, thanks to whom we can play football, watch football, thanks to whom we can live. We dedicate today's league title to them, to our defenders – to those who are fighting for our country right now and to those who gave their lives for it.
This title is the first for Igor Jovicevic and his coaching staff. I congratulate them and give them big thanks. They did a great job, managed to unite the players around a common goal, motivating and supporting them throughout the difficult journey to the title.
This title is the first for many young Shakhtar players. And I congratulate them on this achievement and thank them for the strong character that they showed in every match of the season, for the great will to win, for a spectacular game.
I congratulate the administration and medical staff of the team, the management and all employees of the club. Each of you made huge efforts so that today we could say with joy and pride: "Shakhtar are the champions!"
I also want to thank our opponents who fought and created a worthy competition for us, who found a way to play during a difficult time and thus support the fans and all Ukrainians, giving millions of people positive emotions.
It was an interesting championship: hard, exhausting, but interesting. And I am glad that Shakhtar won an intense fight that lasted until the last rounds. We will remember and value this victory, but we will not celebrate it. Because the joy of football victories will return to us when we win our main victory – victory of Ukraine over the enemy, when we liberate all our cities and return peace to our land.
