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 keep proving that Ukrainians are a winning nation,” Guzait wrote on his Facebook page on Monday.
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 so that everyone involved can get to safety,” Guzait explained the plans.
Many stadiums and training centers destroyed
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.
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 champion Dynamo Kiev, the association did not declare a champion. Both clubs are expected to be awarded a place in the Champions League qualifiers.