January 26 – A compromise between UEFA and Russian football authorities over the future status of clubs in annexed Crimea could be about to take shape.
After Russia took over the region from Ukraine last year, three Crimea-based Premier League clubs – TSK Simferopol, SKChF Sevastopol and Zhemchuzhina Yalta – were effectively ditched and replaced by new teams incorporated into the second division of the Russian league.
But the move prompted fierce protests from the Ukraine football federation and UEFA banned the clubs concerned, saying they broke cross-border rules, and ruled that the peninsula would be considered a “special zone”, without providing further details.
Now, however, Russia Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says UEFA may set up its own directly administered championship in the disputed region.
Mutko recently met UEFA president Michel Platini in Moscow and told Russia’s Tass news agency that “probably a Crimean football league will be created” soon, answering directly to UEFA who would “provide the necessary resources”.
“UEFA has suggested setting up an independent Crimean structure, which would unite the existing football federations of Crimea and Sevastopol. It is likely that a Crimean football league will be set up, which will for the time being be attached to UEFA.”
Alexander Krasilnikov, president of SKCF Sevastopol, revealed the new championship could involve eight clubs though this would undoubtedly infuriate Ukraine where military and political tensions show no sign of receding.
“We must not stop playing football in Crimea and, if all the promises from the league of sponsorship are met, then in the spring we will start a new championship,” he was quoted as saying.
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