By Mark Baber
June 23 – The Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU) is to set up a working group to examine the idea of reviving ‘Tavria’ the formerly top flight Ukrainian club based in Simferopol, Crimea, which was disbanded and replaced by a new club ‘TSK’ in the hope of playing in the Russian Leagues.
According to a statement on the Ukrainian Football Federation web site, Vice-President Sergey Kunitsyn in conjunction with the Professional Football Committee are to set up a working group to develop an action plan to revive the club, basing it in Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Andrew Pavelko, the FFU President and MP of the anti-Russian President Poroshenko’s bloc in parliament said: “This is our chance to revive the legendary club, the first champion of independent Ukraine. The working group will hold talks with the Premier League, Premier Division clubs, representatives of Kherson region, as well as the football public in general. Given the general interest above party, the project can be implemented in the future.”
UEFA has banned TSK Simferopol from playing in the Russian Leagues, pledging to set up a new Crimean League to be administered by UEFA directly.
According to media reports, the new Kherson-based club may aim to claim the original Tavria’s heritage, including presumably its colours and honours.
Kherson already has a club – FC ‘Crystal’ Kherson – playing in Ukraine’s third division, so the establishment of the “revived” club can be seen as being driven by political interests dedicated to finding as many ways as possible to exacerbate tensions with Russia.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734969564labto1734969564ofdlr1734969564owedi1734969564sni@r1734969564ebab.1734969564kram1734969564