The Ukrainian Premier League soccer season has been officially announced to be over after the Russian invasion.
The league stated after a video conference with clubs that the standings as of 24th of February, when the Russian seizure started and matches were suspended, will be announced final ‘because the championship cannot be played to completion.’
Shakhtar Donetsk was in the lead at that time but the league stated no official award would be made.
The standings could certainly determine qualification for European tounaments next season if Ukrainian clubs are considered able to take part. The league’s decision must be ratified by the Ukrainian Football Association.
Of the 16 top-flight teams, FC Mariupol’s home stadium is now in territory under Russian control and the stadium of Desna Chernihiv was devastated by shelling that slumped part of a stand and left a deep cavity in the field.
Ukraine’s two biggest teams, Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv, are each touring Europe to compete in a series of charity matches versus clubs from around the continent and raise funds for people hit by the war.
Earlier, Shakhtar had to leave its home city of Donetsk in 2014 when it was taken over by Russia-supported separatists and has since been based elsewhere in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian men’s national team is still in dispute to qualify for the World Cup later this year.
Ukraine is all set to play Scotland in a deferred qualifying playoff match with the winner of that game to play against Wales 4 days later for a place at the tourney in Qatar.
