April 27 – Ukraine’s top-flight league, which has had no matches since the Russian invasion, has been officially disbanded with the current standings declared final and no winner because the lack of competitive action.
The last round of fixtures was played in December before the league went on a three-month winter break which then coincided with Russia’s invasion in February.
Shakhtar Donetsk was the leader at that time, two points ahead of Dynamo Kiyv, but the league said no official award would be made “because the championship cannot be played to completion due to the extension of martial law status in Ukraine.”
The standings could potentially determine qualification for European competitions next season if Ukrainian clubs are deemed able to take part. The league’s decision must be approved by the Ukrainian Football Association.
Of the 16 top-flight teams, FC Mariupol’s home stadium is now in territory under Russian control and Desna Chernihiv’s stadium has been destroyed by bombing.
Ukraine’s two biggest teams, Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv, are each touring Europe playing a series of charity games against clubs from around the continent to raise funds for those affected by the war.
Shakhtar already had to leave its home city of Donetsk back in 2014 when it was taken over by Russia-backed separatists and has since been based elsewhere in Ukraine, as has another top-division club, Zorya Luhansk.
The Ukrainian men’s national team is still in contention to qualify for the World Cup with a postponed playoff game against Scotland now scheduled for June 1, with the winner to face Wales four days later for the final European spot at the tournament in Qatar.
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