March. Chronicle of events: UEFA Executive Committee and Congress, Nations League draw, suspension of all tournaments and UAF initiative to tackle the pandemic

01.04.2020 18:20

The first spring month was perhaps the most difficult for Ukrainian and world football in the last decades.

March 2. Meeting of UEFA Executive Committee, attended by its member, president of Ukrainian Association of Football Andrii Pavelko, was held in Amsterdam. Based on the results of the meeting, venues for the finals of UEFA Club Tournaments 2022-2023, as well as a number of regulations were approved.

Photo by uefa.com

March 3. In Amsterdam 44th UEFA Congress was held. The congress was attended by the president of Ukrainian Association of Football, member of UEFA Executive Committee Andrii Pavelko. Ukraine also was represented by the general secretary of Association Yurii Zapisotskyi and the first vice-presidents of UAF Oleh Protasov and Vadym Kostyuchenko.

The congress approved the UEFA annual report for season 2018-2019, summarized financial results of the 2018-2019 season, approved budget for the financial year 2020/2021 and amended UEFA Statute. Congressional delegates ratified the structure of UEFA Judiciary and the structure of UEFA Committee on Governance and Compliance. The Congress also supported the decision of UEFA Executive Committee to hold the next UEFA Congress in Minsk.

Photo by uefa.com

“It is symbolic that UEFA Congress was held in Amsterdam, where our national team starts at EURO-XNUMX. Also noteworthy is the decision of UEFA Executive Committee, adopted the day before and supported by Congress today, to hold the next UEFA Congress in the capital of neighboring Belarus - in Minsk. I believe that in the future, UEFA family will visit Kyiv for a high meeting”, said Andrii Pavelko after the Congress ended.

March 3. Following the draw of Nations League season-2020/2021 that was held in Amsterdam, the national team of Ukraine fount out its rivals in the League A - Switzerland, Spain and Germany.

Photo by uefa.com

«Yes, we have strong opponents, but the more interesting it will be to play. Our players will get great experience of such matches, and it will be interesting for the spectators to look at the best teams not only in Europe but also in the world. That is why I consider the draw is successful, ”- said the head coach of the national team of Ukraine Andrii Shevchenko.

March 5. A meeting of UEFA Executive Committee of Ukrainian Association of Football took place in the House of Football in Kyiv.

Among other things, UAF Executive Committee approved the strategic development plan development of women's football for 2020-2024 and determined the next Congress venue as the city of Lviv.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

March 2-6. In Kherson the IV traditional tournament took place .  

The winners of the competition for the second consecutive time are FC Krystal. On the final match day of the tournament, they beat Energiya from Nova Kakhovka, with a score of 3:2 and finished with XNUMX% - three victories in three matches.

Photo of UAF press service

“These competitions have already become a unique tradition. I have always emphasized that Crimea is Ukraine, and the teams participating in this tournament confirm this, ”- said the chairman of the Association of Football of Crimea, Ihor Kolykhayev, at the award ceremony.

March 8. . Winter Cup of U2020 Youth Football League among U-16 teams has finished.

The Shakhtar Donetsk players won the tournament, beating their U-15 teammates in a decisive match. Third place - in the Lviv "Carpathians", which in a match for bronze defeated CYSS "Metallurg" (Zaporozhye).

March 9. The Kyiv National Academic Operetta Theater hosted a solemn commemoration of the winners of the annual All-Ukrainian ceremony of the NOC "Heroes of the Sports Year.

Photo by uefa.com

Ukraine U-2019 were named the winners in the nomination Best Team in 20. Oleksandr Petrakov's side were honored with gold medals last year at FIFA World Cup XNUMX U-XNUMX. World Cup in Poland. 

March 4-10. The Ukrainian women's national team performed in Spain at the international tournament Pinatar Cup. Nataliya Zinchenko's wards conceded three goals from Scotland,0:3), defeated Northern Ireland (4:0) and lost to Iceland (0:1), finishing in third place.

"I am very pleased with the trip to Spain, where thanks to the UAF we created the right conditions for the training process, and sparring with strong opponents helped to see what we really deserve," - said the head coach of the national team of Ukraine Nataliya Zinchenkosumming up the tournament.

March 11-12. Ukrainian Cup XNUMX/XNUMX quarterfinal games were played , Dynamo Kyiv, Mynai, Mariupol and Vorskla Poltava have reached the semi-finals.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

March 13. . A draw of 1/2-Ukrainian Cup-2019/2020 was held at the House of Football in Kyiv,, which determined the following semifinal pairs: "Mariupol" - "Vorskla" (Poltava); Minai - Dynamo (Kyiv).

March 17. In connection with the spread of UEFA COVID-19 virus in a special video conference with representatives of 55 national associations that are members of the European Football Union, associations of European clubs and European leagues, as well as representatives of FIFPro made a number of key decisions about the season's progress in European football.

In particular, the transfer of Euro 2020 to 2021 has been announced. The tournament is scheduled for June 11 - July 11, 2021. All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendly matches) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have also been suspended. 

"Together with colleagues from the UEFA Executive Committee, we have supported the draft decision to carry over Euro 2020 to next year," said UAE President and UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko. - No panic - just a cold assessment of the current state of affairs and concern for fans, players, coaches and everyone who creates modern football. The UEFA Task Force will continue to monitor in detail the situation related to the coronavirus pandemic and propose a schedule for the continuation of club competitions held under the auspices of UEFA, as well as friendly matches of national teams.

March 17. UAF Executive Committee decided to suspend all competitions football and futsal in Ukraine.

The decision was made in pursuance of the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 211 of 11.03.2020 as amended by the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 16.03.2020 № 215.

All clubs in Ukrainian Premier League, First and Second leagues, sent their players to quarantine at home.

March 22. According to UAF president words,Ukrainian Association of Football has launched an initiative to tackle the spread of COVID-19 virus in Ukraine. As part of this initiative, UAF and regional associations road transport is being put at the disposal of pandemic health care facilities. An assistance to the aging veterans of football has been also provided.

Photo by zhoff.org.ua

UAF Initiative found widespread support in the regions. Regional associations have established appropriate coordination headquarters and are collaborating with local physicians, as well as caring for veterans who need special attention and are the most vulnerable at this time.