Officially. Premier League matches will be held with fans in the stands

22.07.2020 20:20

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Following a working meeting between the Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov and the President of the Ukrainian Association of Football Andrii Pavelko, it was agreed to let spectators enter the stands in a test mode to the UPL playoffs for the place in the Europa League (starting from the second qualifying round), which will take place on July 25 and 29.

The stands will be possible to fill by 25% of spectators. Moreover. like all participants in the matches, they will have to comply with the distance and other requirements of the quarantine regime.

In case of a positive experience of holding the Premier League playoff games and a favorable epidemiological situation in August, the Ministry of Health will consider the possibility of admitting 50% of the total number of available seats to the stadium sectors.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

"We can be proud that in Ukraine, unlike some other countries, the championship resumed after quarantine and was completed. We saw how interesting the end of the season turned out to be. But behind all this is hard work - first of all, the joint efforts of the UAF and the Ministry of Health.

Today we took the next step - in a test format, the first matches, which are UPL playoff matches, after a long quarantine will take place with the fans. This is 25% of the spectators from the seats available at the stadium. In the future, we will ask the Ministry of Health to allow 50% of spectators to visit the stadiums with the start of the new season. Matches of national teams return in September, so I would like the national team of Ukraine to have support at home stadiums.

However, the fight against the pandemic is not over. We must understand all the responsibilities. Much depends on the results of test matches and on the clubs themselves, which must ensure the implementation of the medical protocol.

Returning fans to the stands is a priority goal of the Ukrainian Football Association in the current difficult conditions. Personal thanks to Maksym Stepanov, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Ukraine Viktor Lyashko and the whole UAF team for joint productive work. Ukrainian football is gradually returning to normal. Congratulations to all our fans on this success! See you at the stadiums! ” - said UAF President Andriy Pavelko.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

"It simply came to our notice then. First, the Ukrainian championship was resumed, and now we are returning to the stands of fans. We believe that this is possible taking into account all the rules and recommendations of the Ministry of Health. I believe that our fans will set a good example of how to follow these rules for the sake of their health. Before making this decision, we talked to representatives of clubs and organizers. They understand the requirements that are easy to implement, "said Minister of Health of Ukraine Maxim Stepanov.