Obolon director: "If we want to host the Ukrainian championship, we must work out the issue of booking players"

Obolon director Oleksandr Riznichenko answered in a commentary for the UPL TV telegram channel whether the players were reserved from mobilisation.

"Our club raised this question when we were still in the PFL. And we raised this question when we joined the UPL. At one time I raised this issue with the UAF. However, unfortunately, no one is interested in this. Neither in the PFL, nor in the UPL, nor in the UAF. Everyone takes the position of an ostrich, saying that there is a law and it must be followed. However, no one wants to deal with these processes.

This is a very difficult situation indeed. Last year, the Ukrainian championship was resumed in agreement with the President of Ukraine. The commission that developed security measures during football matches included the Ministry of Youth and Sports, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the National Police and the State Emergency Service, and, of course, representatives of the UAF.

As far as I know, until the last moment, when the decision to start the championship was made, one of its points was to assist in booking players for the duration of the championship. However, just before the signing of this memorandum by these services, the Ministry of Youth and Sports demanded that this clause be removed from the document. And it was excluded.

The situation in the country is very difficult. However, if we want to hold the championship, we must work out the issue of booking players. First of all, the UAF should be interested in this. Unfortunately, so far no one has addressed this issue and it can arise in any football club. I hope that with the arrival of a new manager, this situation will be resolved.

You know, if Obolon or any other club finds itself in a situation where they issue summonses, draft people, etc., the club must withdraw from the championship because there will be no one to play football," Riznichenko said.