kryvbas’ 19-year-old goalkeeper Ihor Omelchenko has not returned from a training camp in Europe – contact with him has been lost
4 August 22:15
Young Ukrainian footballer Ihor Omelchenko, goalkeeper of the Kryvbas U-19 youth team, did not return to Ukraine after completing a training camp in Europe. This was reported by journalist Yuriy Burbas on his YouTube channel, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to him, the 19-year-old player has stopped contacting, and it is currently unknown where he is. Despite having a contract with the club, Omelchenko is allegedly ready to end his career to avoid legal consequences.
“He had a valid contract with Kryvbas. But there is information that he is ready to sacrifice it,” Burbas said.
Commentator Andriy Stolyarchuk, who was also present in the studio, emphasized that Omelchenko is not subject to mobilization, as he is only 19 years old. At the same time, he considers the player’s actions unprofessional and unacceptable:
“I think this is a wrong step. I hope that he will realize this and return to himself as a player and as a person,” Stolyarchuk said.
Other cases of athletes running away
This is not the first incident of Ukrainian athletes losing contact with their teammates abroad.
Earlier, karate fighter Yevhen Pylypiuk did not return after an international tournament, later pleading guilty.
And academic rowing champion Larysa Zhalinska, who was serving in the National Guard, took advantage of her vacation to travel abroad and ended up in Russia via the Czech Republic.
