TheCEO of Metalist 1925 Yaroslav Vdovenko commented toUV on the information that the Kharkiv club may cease to exist.
Yaroslav Vdovenko- Yaroslav Viktorovich, is it true that Metalist 1925 is going out of business?
- We are not talking about ceasing to exist yet. There are some small problems that we are now solving.
- It was written that the business of the club's owners suffered because of the rocket attacks, and this is the problem?
- Yes, it happened twice. These are the problems that are being addressed. The club's owners are now working on the issue of how to reorganise and switch financial flows so that they have the finances not only to survive but also to support the team.
- Will the team stay in the UPL this season?
- This question is not and has not been raised at any level. Why did we go to the Premier League then? The team will continue to play, Metalist 1925 is now training as usual. The issue that is being resolved now does not concern the players, it is the investors who are dealing with it. They are closing financial issues as best they can, perhaps not in full, as it was when we left the First League for the UPL. Back then, we also had some financial problems caused by our fellow competitors in the city, but we overcame them. I think you understand what I'm talking about. This is another challenge for us.
- The coaching staff of Edmar-Golodyuk and all the players of Metalist 1925 remain with the team. Did I understand correctly?
- Yes, you did. So far, nothing has changed.
- Will the budget be cut?
- A decision will be made: either to cut the budget a little or to attract investors to help us. When we were playing in the first league, we could not cope with the task of entering the UPL on our own, so we used business and friendly connections to help the team withstand the load.
- Are there any salary arrears in the team now?
- No, we don't. We passed the UPL licensing in the summer and all debts were paid in full. I mean the debt that arose during the war, when there was no one in the team - from February to April. There are no questions here, you can check with the relevant authorities.
- Has the management had a conversation with the team about the financial problems that have arisen?
- No, it hasn't happened yet. "Metalist 1925 does not cease to exist and continues to prepare for the next matches as usual.
Andrii Piskun
