Youth Football League proposes UAF to end championship ahead of schedule

05.05.2020 20:24

Photo of UAF press service

Today, a meeting of the Working Group on the possible continuation or suspension of the championship in Youth Football League was held in the House of Football following the situation with the spread of COVID-19.

The meeting was attended by UAF first vice-president Vadym Kostyuchenko, Youth Football League president Vitalii Bort, vice-president Stanislav Kochubynskyi, executive director Yurii Zhabynskyi, vice-president Valerii Zolotukhin, Dynamo Kyiv youth academy director Oleksandr Ishchenko and Shakhtar Donetsk youth academy director Ihor Leonov.

Considering the suspension of all sports competitions in Ukraine and the quarantine measures applied by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, tackling the the spread of coronavirus, the question of the feasibility to continue the championship in Youth Football League in the 2019/2020 season was considered. Vadym Kostyuchenko told at the meeting that the association's board holds regular consultations with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, therefore, considering the situation, a proposal not to renew the championship was made.

“Undoubtedly, during a pandemic and quarantine, we have no right to risk the health of children. Therefore, guided by the results of negotiations with the ministries, we can not continue the championship in Youth Football League, before the end of which the teams have to spend seven rounds. We make this decision, taking into account the recent experience of countries such as Portugal and Italy, which will not renew football seasons in the youth leagues. In addition, until September 1, all matches of the national youth teams of Ukraine are postponed. But, if the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic improves, we may consider the possibility of starting a new football season in youth football in September”, - Vadym Kostyuchenko stressed.

All results that were recorded in the championship standings at the time of competition's stopping remain unchanged and freeze. Winner and relegating teams will not be determined this season, given the situation.

The decision of the working group on the suspension of the champonship in Youth Football League will soon be considered by it's Executive Committee, after which it will gain official status.