Former Desna head coach Oleksandr Riabokon told us about the current state of affairs at the Chernihiv club.
Oleksandr Riabokon and the broken Desna stadium- I spoke to Desna's management about two months ago. Initially, there were encouraging hopes that the team would return this season, but then, obviously, the plans changed and the management took a break. The decisive moment will be the autumn certification of the clubs. Then it will become clear whether Desna will resume its activities or whether the club will disappear forever.
- Desna retains its place in the UPL. Is there any specifics from the management as to which division Desna plans to play in if it resumes?
- Initially, we planned to play in the Premier League. They wanted to assemble the team in January this year and prepare for the championship. But it was impossible to assemble a team in winter, because all the players were involved in other teams. Therefore, we came up with the idea to join the second league so that we could at least have a young base of players, and return to the UPL next season. But something didn't work out and the Desna management decided to take a break. I think everything will become clear in autumn when the certification of clubs begins.
- Desna's infrastructure in Chernihiv is completely destroyed. Do you have an understanding of what to do next: reconstruct the stadium and training facilities or build new ones?
- Everything is still destroyed, no work is being done. It's a difficult situation and it hurts me to see it all.
- Where was the team planning to play if it had applied for this season?
- We talked about Kyiv and the region, but it never came to specifics. I don't know what the management's plans are for the future, but nothing is being done so far.
Andrii Piskun
