Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Ukraine's PL ends season after Russian invasion

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Wednesday, 27 April 2022 07:38

The Ukrainian Premier League football season has officially come to an end following the Russian invasion, creating a path for Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv to be entered in next season's Champions League.

The league said after a video conference with clubs on Tuesday that the standings as of Feb. 24, when the Russian invasion began and games were suspended, will be declared final "because the championship cannot be played to completion."

Shakhtar Donetsk were top of the table at that time but the league said no official award would be made.

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, which would have to submit competition entries to UEFA by early June. That includes two places in the next Champions League.

The Ukrainian league champion was due to enter the qualifying rounds in the playoffs in August, needing to beat one opponent to advance to the group stage.

However, one possible scenario is that Shakhtar can be upgraded to the group stage to take the direct entry protected for the champion of the Russian league, currently expected to be Zenit St Petersburg.

UEFA has banned all Russian teams from its competitions because of the war and it is unclear how that sanction will be lifted before next season. Ukraine, as the national league ranked No. 12 by UEFA, would be next in line for getting the direct entry Russia could be forced to give up.

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 wrecked by bombardments that collapsed part of a stand and left a deep crater in the field.

Ukraine's two biggest teams, Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv, are each touring Europe to play a series of charity games against clubs from around the continent and raise funds for people affected by the war.

Shakhtar previously had to leave their home city of Donetsk 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.

Dynamo was second to Shakhtar in the now-suspended league standings and could be entered for the Champions League in the second qualifying round. The draw for that round is scheduled for June 15 at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland with games to be played from July 19-27.

Third-place Dnipro could be entered in the Europa League, joining in the playoff round in August. The fourth- and fifth-place teams, Zorya Luhansk and Vorskla Poltava, are in line to enter the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League.

It is far from clear how Ukrainian clubs will retain and sign players for next season, and where they would prepare for and play domestic and international games.

The Ukrainian men's national team are still in contention to qualify for the World Cup later this year. Ukraine are set to play Scotland in a postponed qualifying playoff game on June 1, with the winner of that game to face Wales four days later for a place at the tournament in Qatar.

Read 169 times

Soccer

Liverpool ratings: Salah gets 6/10 in elimination to Atalanta

Liverpool ratings: Salah gets 6/10 in elimination to Atalanta

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool were eliminated from the Europa League quarterfinals by A...

Fan group claims 'aggression' in Barça pat downs

Fan group claims 'aggression' in Barça pat downs

EmailPrintThe director of a group that advocates for female sports fans says she and other Paris Sai...

Bayer rally puts streak at 44, on to Europa semis

Bayer rally puts streak at 44, on to Europa semis

Newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen reached the Europa League semi-finals but almost...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Kawhi still battling inflammation, G1 status iffy

Kawhi still battling inflammation, G1 status iffy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard still has inflamm...

Kerr: 'Lot of value' in keeping Dubs' core together

Kerr: 'Lot of value' in keeping Dubs' core together

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- For the past several years, the Golden State Warri...

Baseball

Ohtani joins long list of scammed athletes and celebrities

Ohtani joins long list of scammed athletes and celebrities

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIppei Mizuhara's alleged theft of at least $16 million from his for...

How interpreter Ippei Mizuhara became players' lifeline

How interpreter Ippei Mizuhara became players' lifeline

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMICHAEL CROTTA DIDN'T know anybody or much of anything when he arri...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated