Full version of the interview at this link, and interesting theses from the conversation are for your attention. 

FIRST YEAR AS FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

“At the very beginning of my work at the UAF, I was very surprised by the complete lack of digitalization in football. All the processes that took place at the UAF were somewhat chaotic, in paper form.

When the team and I started working, the first thing we did was digitize. Currently, all information in the Football House is concentrated through electronic document flow. This gives us great opportunities for the development of football and creates a solid foundation for the next steps. The main step we took was to launch the digitalization of all processes in Ukrainian football. And this year we will launch the main products we have developed.”

FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

“We have done a lot of work to prevent corruption. We introduced polygraphs - this has minimized risks. We have fully integrated the electronic procurement system - we do everything through tenders. We take into account the most economically advantageous offers and make all these purchases. That is, every penny of the UAF is spent on a competitive basis and as rationally as possible. We report all this to the public.”

WHAT DOES UAF DO?

“For some reason, everyone thinks that the UAF deals exclusively with the national team, professional football and arbitration. But in fact, this is only 10-15 percent of the UAF’s work. The rest is the development of children’s and grassroots football and many other areas. "School Ball" is a program that used to exist as "Leather Ball." Then it didn't exist for many years, so when we came in, we reorganized this tournament and gave it a new lease of life.

In the first year, a thousand schools and 15 thousand children participated in the “School Ball”. Everyone saw how great the competition was, and the next year the number of children and schools tripled - 50 thousand participants and over 3000 schools.”

“We also reformed the children's and youth football league and introduced the "National League of the Future". This is a tournament that significantly increases competition in the 14-17 age category.

This example shows how much work is done behind the scenes, what a fan of the Ukrainian national team doesn't see today.

There are many other initiatives that we have implemented – the same “League of the Strong”. Is this a cool project? Cool. Fans know about it, but they don’t know how much effort it took to bring it to life. This is just a small part of the daily work of the UAF.”

Photo: Dan Balashov

INVESTIGATION INTO REFEREEING ERRORS IN THE MATCH “POLISSYA” - “DYNAMO”

“The investigation showed that there was no external influence on the referees. It is fundamental that we proved and showed this to everyone. Yes, there was a human factor, there were mistakes. But there was no influence on the judges, that is the main thing.”

“The results of the investigation have been brought to the clubs. We cannot publish the full version because there are people's personal data, a lot of personal information - it would be unethical and incorrect. But the clubs have these results, they see them.”

“As for punishing referees, that is the competence of the Referees Committee and its chairwoman Kateryna Monzul… As for us, if there is an issue of dishonesty, we follow this first.”

OPENNESS OF THE JUDICIARY

“We publish Rizzoli’s analysis every week. If there are high-profile issues, we sometimes publish negotiations. This is not the case in the top leagues, although there are no fewer scandals there. And we do it openly.

We introduced polygraphs for referees. Now UEFA has allowed us to do this, although before they said that this could not be done.”

"I have personally taken a polygraph several times and I can say with confidence that, in my opinion, it is impossible to deceive a polygraph. I have not met such people. Perhaps there are isolated cases when a person can do this.

We cooperate with the Ukrainian Association of Polygraph Examiners. This is a public association that unites almost all polygraph examiners in Ukraine. When a polygraph examiner comes to us, he does not know in advance who he will interview. And we also do not know who they will send to us. This element of randomness makes it impossible to influence or make any agreements with the polygraph examiner in advance.

For us, the polygraph has proven its effectiveness: there have been suspensions of players due to betting, three referees, a match delegate and an observer, as well as a coach of a UPL club were suspended. There was an appeal recently, and the appeal committee confirmed the suspension decision. There have also been many sanctions and suspensions in children's and youth football.”

“However, the polygraph is not our only method. We cooperate with law enforcement agencies. The element of corruption is a criminal offense. And the police, the prosecutor's office, if there are facts, also investigate these crimes. This is not a misdemeanor, but a crime.”

Photo: Dan Balashov

UAF MEETING WITH UPL CLUBS OWNERS REGARDING ARBITRATION REFORM

“This was essentially the first meeting of UAF President Andriy Shevchenko with the owners of UPL clubs. Everyone unanimously agreed that the refereeing system needs to be improved. And improvement is carried out through reforms. So we agreed to create a working group. It includes 5 representatives of football clubs, UPL lawyers and representatives of various areas of UAF.

This group holds meetings, I've been to them too. Ideas for the future are discussed: how to change arbitration, what are the quality indicators, selection criteria, penalties, etc. 

We are currently discussing this, and hopefully in a month we will have a decision that we will publish. But it is very important, and this is our achievement, that the clubs praise such open communication with the UAF. We now have complete transparency and openness in communication with the clubs. We always hear them, we always communicate. And we are very pleased to hear this feedback from the club owners.”

INVITATION OF FOREIGN ARBITRATORS

“We haven't had a "School of Young Referees" for 9 years. Now we've resumed its work. If we didn't have football academies, where would we get players for the national team?

We cannot put an end to the future of Ukrainian arbitration and invite foreign arbitrators to judge. We do not agree with this. We believe that Ukrainian arbitration should develop, and we are doing everything necessary for this.

"Yes, we have to endure a little. But everything will be fine, because the foundation we have laid will allow us to build a very good system."

"Currently, there is a big question about the number of referees, there is a real shortage of them. But the "School of Young Referees" has recruited over 500 students and has almost 100 graduates. They have to go a certain way from graduation to the UPL.

It will take time. I think 3-4 years, and we will have a certain number of arbitrators. If someone makes a mistake, another one will judge. A referee is also a person who can judge qualitatively, mediocrely and poorly. Many factors influence this. When there are more referees, then we will be able to choose those who are better prepared. Competition will contribute to their progress.”

Source: Champion website