Sports
Russian invasion kills Ukrainian soccer, season ends prematurely under martial law
No Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) matches have been played since Russia invaded the country in February. Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv qualify for the Champions League
April 27, 2022 1:19pm
Updated: April 28, 2022 6:46am
The Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) season has ended and the title will not be awarded due to the continuation of martial law in the country following Russia's invasion, the tournament organizers said.
The last round of matches was played in December before the league began a three-month winter break that has been prolonged by the war. Shakhtar Donetsk topped the table with 47 points from 18 games, two points ahead of Dynamo Kyiv. As a result, both teams will have their place in the next Champions League.
After a video conference with the clubs, the league announced on Wednesday that the standings that were in place on Feb. 24, when the Russian invasion began, and matches were suspended, would be considered final "because the championship cannot be contested in its entirety." Shakhtar was leading at the time, although the league said no official award would be handed out.
🇺🇦🤝🇭🇷 Hajduk comes next! Preparations for the charity match are underway 🧡
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 27, 2022
View today’s training session of Shakhtar in Turkey.
#Shakhtar #Україна #Ukraine #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/R971zRWATH
"Ukrainian Premier League soccer clubs supported the proposal to end the 2021-22 season as the championship cannot be completed due to the extension of the state of martial law in Ukraine," the UPL said in a statement. "The corresponding decision was submitted for approval by the executive committee of the Ukrainian Football Association."
🇺🇦 All efforts are aimed at helping people: what the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has done in 60 days of war ⬇️https://t.co/nZqcwLKraB#Shakhtar #Україна #Ukraine #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/1gkX2JYa0g
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 27, 2022
Of the 16 first division teams, F.C. Mariupol's stadium is now in Russian-controlled territory and the Desna Chernobyl stadium was destroyed by shelling that knocked out part of a stand and left a deep crater in the field. Meanwhile, the country's two biggest teams, Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv are touring Europe to play several charity matches against clubs from all over the continent and raise funds for people affected by the war.
