In the midst of the war in Ukraine, planning for the next football season becomes concrete. Matchday 1 is to take place on a symbolic day.
Despite Russia’s ongoing war attacks, the Ukrainian soccer championship is set to start a new season. According to Sports Minister Vadim Guzait, the ball will symbolically start rolling again in the country’s top division starting on August 23, Ukraine’s national holiday of independence from the former USSR.
“It’s very important to resume great football like other national championships in Ukraine. We keep fighting and winning. We constantly prove that Ukrainians are a winning nation.”Guzait wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.
Department of Defense involved in decision
The decision to resume play was made through agreements with numerous parties. According to Guzait, in addition to the national association, the defence, interior and economy ministries, the national police and the city military administrations of the Kyiv metropolis and other places were also involved in the decision.
“The games will take place in Ukraine under the rules of martial law, without spectators and with all security measures being observed. In the event of air raids, the games will be interrupted to allow everyone involved to escape.”, Guzait explained the plans. In view of the destruction of many stadiums and training centers by Russian attacks, the project seems very ambitious. Some clubs may have to switch to stadiums that have remained intact for their home games.
No champion in the 2021/22 season
Last season in the Ukrainian championship was canceled at the end of April, more than two months after the start of Russia’s illegal invasion. After weeks of suspension of the matches, the final table was the status of the day of the Russian attack on February 24th.
The last regular games before the winter break took place in mid-December last year. Although Shakhtar Donetsk led the ranking by two points ahead of defending champions Dynamo Kyiv, the association did not proclaim a champion. Both clubs are expected to be awarded a place in the Champions League qualifiers.