Ukraine’s top-tier football competition has returned to stadiums some six months after being abandoned following Russia’s invasion.
Four Ukrainian VBet Liha games were played behind closed doors on Tuesday with Rukh Vynnyky scheduled to play Metalist today. A match between Mynai and Lviv was postponed.
The league features 14 teams with Desna Chernihiv and Mariupol forced to withdraw due to the devastation suffered in their respective cities.
All games are scheduled to be played in and around Kyiv or further west of the capital.
The opening match at Kyiv’s 65,500-seat Olympic stadium saw Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925, who are each based in the occupied east part of the country, play out a 0-0 draw.
A poignant ceremony was held ahead of kick-off paying tribute to those fighting in the war with Russia.
A spokesperson for the league said: “Sports competitions during the war become, among other things, a demonstration of our fearlessness, our confidence in the victory and our readiness to continue the fight.
“Football has always been, is and will be the most popular sport in Ukraine, it is the only sports discipline that is truly nationwide. Therefore, holding football competitions will send a strong message, have a powerful social mission, and also serve as a mental consolation for our people.”
Plans for the return of football were announced in July and outlined security measures that would come under the supervision of the military, law enforcement officers, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and local authorities.
At the time, the Ministry said: “There must be a place for shelter near the stadiums, equipped to all standards.
“During air raids, matches will be stopped – football players, coaches and the entire staff must quickly go to the shelter. The presence of representatives of local military administrations, medical teams and the State Emergency Service is mandatory.”
Ukraine remains under martial law and large public gatherings have been banned in the capital ahead of today’s Independence Day holiday (Wednesday) due to fears of potential Russian bombardment.
Matches have not been played since last December when the 2021-22 season finished for the winter break. Shakhar Donetsk and Dinamo Kyiv were entered into this season’s UEFA Champions League competition with games to be played in Poland.
Among the other VBet Liha games played on Tuesday, Avanhard Stadium in Uzhhorod hosted Zorya Luhansk versus Vorskla Poltava, while Bannikov Stadium in Kyiv staged FC Chornomorets Odesa versus Veres Rivne.
Image: Yehor Milohrodskyi on Unsplash
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