May. Chronicle of events: renewal of the season in Ukrainian football and determination of home stadiums of the national team for the coming years

03.06.2020 12:20

Throughout May, painstaking organizational work continued to ensure the resumption of competitions in Ukrainian football, which allowed the restart of the Ukrainian championship at the end of the month.

May 1. Started training according to the program "D-diploma of UAF", which is conducted by the Football Institute of UAF and NUFVSU together with the Ukrainian Football Association. Classes are held remotely using modern means of communication.

The regional associations delegated their representatives as candidates for the course, who were then interviewed. Training is free.

May 5. It has happened working video conference on the situation with COVID-19 and the resumption of sports competitions in the country after the end of quarantine. The conference, chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadym Gutsait, was attended by the President of the Ukrainian Football Association, a member of the UEFA Executive Committee Andriy Pavelko and the heads of federations of other sports.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The participants of the video conference shared with colleagues from other sports associations current issues faced by sports communities with the beginning of quarantine, reflections on possible ways to overcome them and options for gradually removing restrictions to restore a full sports life in our country.

In particular, Andriy Pavelko suggested that all sports associations develop their own protocols for the gradual resumption of competitions, including taking into account the experience of other countries, and submit appropriate proposals for consideration and approval to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. "We are all now also responsible for the health and lives of Ukrainian athletes, so it is extremely important to work together to develop optimal protocols for gradual quarantine, which will be agreed with the relevant ministry, taking into account all possible risks," said the UAF president.

May 5. In the Football House there was a meeting working group on the possible continuation or suspension of the Ukrainian championship in DUFL competitions in connection with the situation with the spread of COVID-19. The children's and youth football league suggested not to renew the tournament. 

May 7. It has happened working meeting chaired by the first vice-presidents of the Ukrainian Football Association Oleg Protasov and Vadym Kostyuchenko on the development of a protocol for the gradual exit of clubs from quarantine. The participants of the meeting discussed various aspects and options for resuming the training process in clubs and the mandatory requirements that will have to be met by football players, coaches, administrators and FC employees.

Photo of UAF press service

May 11. The cyber football team of Ukraine met in friendly match with one of the strongest teams in Europe - the Netherlands, which reached the finals of eEURO-2020 with the maximum result - 10 victories in 10 games. Following the results of four matches, a draw was recorded - 2: 2. Yielding - 0: 2, our guys managed to win back.

May 12. It has happened video meeting of the leadership of the Futsal Association of Ukraine with the presidents of the clubs participating in the second stage of the draw of the Ukrainian championship among the Favbet Extra-League teams of the 2019/2020 season. Participants unanimously voted for the end of the 2019/2020 season.

May 12. Clubs of the Ukrainian Premier League were given the opportunity to start team training after the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine announced the first stage of easing quarantine measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 13. Representatives of the Ukrainian Football Association, football players and coaches honored the bright memory of Valery Lobanovsky, who passed away on this day 18 years ago. UAF President Andriy Pavelko, Member of the UEFA Executive Committee, and Oleksandr Petrakov, Head of the U-20 National Team of Ukraine, 2019 World Champion laid flowers at the grave of Valery Lobanovsky.

"Time is running very fast, one of the most talented football coaches in the world has not been with us for 18 years. But the football legend of Ukraine had so many students, fans and followers who now play, train or help develop football, that it often seems as if Valery Vasilyevich himself is somewhere nearby ... He is forever in our hearts. We remember and are proud of the Hero of Ukraine! ” - Andriy Pavelko noted during his visit to the Lobanovsky Memorial at the Baykovo Cemetery.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Also the memory of one of the most outstanding coaches of the world was honored by the first vice-presidents of UAF Vadym Kostyuchenko and Oleg Protasov, the coach of the youth national team of Ukraine U-16 Sergey Nagornyak and the captain of the national team of Ukraine among veterans Vladislav Vashchuk who visited the grave of Valery Vasilyevich at the Baykovo cemetery and laid flowers to the Metro monument near the FC Dynamo Stadium (Kyiv).

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

"Valery Vasilyevich left a huge football legacy for Ukraine and the whole world. It is natural that today the achievements of the great Lobanovsky can be seen in the game and organization of the training process of many outstanding coaches in different countries. Lobanovsky remains in our hearts, and his genius will forever remain an integral part of football in Ukraine and the world, "said Vadym Kostyuchenko.

May 13. During video meetings of the leadership of the Futsal Association of Ukraine with the representatives of the participants of the second stage of the top league of the women's championship of Ukraine it was decided to end the 2019/2020 season.  

May 13. The national cyber football team of Ukraine started at the #StayHome European Nations Cup tournament with confident victory over Azerbaijan (6: 2). 

May 14. It has happened working meeting with the participation of representatives of the Premier League, UPL clubs and the Ukrainian Football Association. The participants of the meeting in the House of Football discussed a number of topical issues regarding the resumption of the training process in clubs and options for resuming competitions. The Ukrainian Football Association was represented at the meeting by First Vice President Oleh Protasov and Director of the Legal Department Ihor Hryshchenko.

May 15. It took place online working meeting with the participation of the President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Pavelko, the First Vice-President of the UAF Oleg Protasov and the heads of regional associations. Participants discussed a number of working issues related to the first stage of quarantine easing, possible options for resuming competitions and the work of the football community in the regions under quarantine.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

"It is important that, despite all the restrictions, the football community maintains a positive mood, continues to work actively and has many plans for the future. Thank you to all the regional associations for continuing to help our veterans and doctors who have been resisting the pandemic for the second month in a row. All of us, like millions of Ukrainian fans, missed football very much. As before, we maintain close communication with the Office of the President of Ukraine, the government in general and the Ministry of Health in particular and look forward to the next stage of easing the quarantine, which will resume football competitions, "said Andriy Pavelko.

May 19. The UAF women's football department announced that the remaining matches of the Ukrainian Football Cup among women's teams of the 2019/2020 season, postponed to the autumn part of 2020 with the condition of further monitoring of the situation in Ukraine. The tournament has left the decisive stages, starting with the quarterfinals.

May 19. Cyber ​​football team of Ukraine held a friendly match in the PES discipline with one of the best teams in Europe - Germany. Two of the individual matches ended in favor of our rivals, one brought a draw, and in one the Ukrainian player won. The total score is 2: 1 in favor of Germany.

May 20. The second match of the national team of Ukraine in cyber football within the online competition #StayHome European Nations Cup in the discipline of PES brought her heavy victory over Georgia - 2: 1.

May 21. The UAF Executive Committee, which held a meeting using communications, made several important decisions. In particular, it has been finally determined that the XXIII regular Congress of the Ukrainian Football Association will take place on June 7, 2020 in Lviv at the Arena Lviv stadium.

Also the UAF Executive Committee at the request of UEFA approved a list of cities and stadiums, which are planned to host home matches of the national team of Ukraine for the period 2020-2022, in particular, UEFA League of Nations matches, international friendly matches and qualifying matches for the World Cup. The list includes eight Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odessa, Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Poltava and Uzhhorod.

May 22. The meeting of the Executive Committee Futsal Association of Ukraine, which decided to suspend the further holding of the Ukrainian Futsal Championship among the clubs of the Extra-League of the 2019/2020 season and consider it completed.

The final determined the distribution of places in the standings based on the results of the regular season (first stage). Thus, IFC Prodexim (Kherson) was recognized as the winner of the championship and delegated to participate in the UEFA Futsal Champions League for the 2020/2021 season.

May 25. The national team of Ukraine in cyber football in the discipline FIFA 20 held friendly match with the team of Finland and lost - 4: 7 on points. 

May 26. UAF Executive Committee made a decision on the resumption of the football season in Ukraine. Taking into account the position of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, it was agreed to hold matches of the Ukrainian Premier League and the Cup of Ukraine with a total number of participants up to 200 people, subject to the relevant recommendations of state bodies. Renewal of competitions is also allowed regional, district and city levels, which are attended by no more than 50 people. 

Also the Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Football Association determined the date and place final of the Cup of Ukraine-2019/2020, which will take place on July 8, 2020 in Lviv at the Arena Lviv stadium.

In addition, it was the decision is approved General meeting of UPL participants on early termination without determining the winners of the U-21 and U-19 UPL championships of the current season from the date of their termination (18.03.2020).

May 26. Updated dates of matches in the qualifying groups of the European Championship among national women's national teams have become known. According to the approved UEFA new schedule, On September 18, the national team of Ukraine will play an away match against the team of Montenegro, and on the 22nd will host the national team of Greece. In October, the blue-and-yellows are also expected to play two matches - home against Ireland (23rd) and away against Greece (27th). The group stage of the Ukrainian women's European Championship selection will end with a meeting at home with the Montenegrins (December 1).

May 27. The national team of Ukraine in cyber football in the discipline of PES held the third match of the online competition #StayHome European Nations Cup, in which with a score of 0: 2 lost to the Serbian team - vice-champion of eEuro-2020. Despite the defeat, the blue and yellows reached the quarterfinals of the tournament in the group stage.

May 28. During online workshop with the participation of the President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Pavelko, the First Vice-President of the UAF Oleg Protasov and the heads of regional associations, preparations for the resumption of competitions at Ukrainian stadiums were discussed.

"I am grateful to all regional associations and their leadership for a responsible attitude to compliance with quarantine requirements and active participation in supporting doctors and football veterans, who in this difficult time needed such help in the first place. I am sincerely happy and congratulate you on the return of football to our lives, "said Andriy Pavelko.

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

May 29. Another important decision of the UAF Executive Committee, which again worked with the use of communications, was approval of Ternopil as the host city of the final of the Cup of Ukraine-2020/2021 and adoption temporary changes to the UPL Regulations, related, in particular, to the IFAB circular and the effect of quarantine restrictions.

May 30-31. Have happened the first matches of the Ukrainian Premier League after a break caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Also throughout the month, the Ukrainian Football Association and regional associations continued to implement an initiative to help combat the spread of coronavirus. Support was provided football veterans, medics, military and other categories of citizens in need.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov