(Reuters) – An Everton supporter who travelled to the Ukrainian border to help fleeing refugees following Russia’s invasion of the country was invited to the pitch to kick a penalty during a pre-season match against Dynamo Kyiv.
The team and the Goodison Park crowd gave a warm welcome to Paul Stratton, who added an unofficial fourth goal to the hosts’ 3-0 win over the Ukrainian side by converting the penalty.
Stratton in March and travelled to the Polish city of Przemysl — close to the Ukrainian border — with his brother to help refugees who had managed to flee the invasion, which Russia calls a “military operation.”
Since Feb. 24, one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes, the largest current human displacement crisis in the world, according to the United Nations Refugee agency.
Everton host Chelsea on Aug. 6 in their first league match of the 2022-2023 campaign after avoiding relegation last season with a 16th-place finish.
(Reporting by Silvia Recchimuzzi in Gdansk; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
