A number of footballers from top Ukrainian clubs Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist Kharkiv have reportedly refused to return to the eastern European nation due to the recent security concerns there.

Six players from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, including Brazilian duo Alex Teixeira and Douglas Costa, have reportedly stayed back in France where the club was involved in a pre-season friendly match with Olympique Lyon.

Shakhtar had lost the match 4-1 and the six players refused to fly back to Ukraine with the club afterwards, citing security concerns. The club’s general manager stated there was no comment from the club regarding the development.

Metalist Kharkiv’s Argentine player Sebastian Blanco has also refused to return to his Ukrainian club and is reportedly seeking a move away from Ukraine, stating ”after the Malaysian plane’s crash I have no intention to return to Ukraine. The situation there is currently abnormal.”

The players’ refusal to return to Ukraine stems from the recent shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane which resulted in the death of nearly 300 people.

The incident involving the Malaysian MH17 plane also comes after the recent political disagreement between Ukraine and neighbouring Russia over the Crimea region.

Despite the unrest, the Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU) is maintains that the national championship will kick-off on July 25, stating ”The entire country mourns over the tragedy that happened. But we insist that football should stay out of politics.”