Former Kyiv "Dynamo" football player Vladimir Sharan spoke about the unification of two Lviv clubs — "Karpaty" and "Rukh".
Vladimir Sharan— How did you react to the decision of "Karpaty" and "Rukh"?
— I was surprised, I knew there were problems in "Rukh", but I didn’t think they were such that they would unite with "Karpaty". The "yellow-blacks" had a task to win the derby, the teams wanted to prove who is stronger in Lviv. But that’s life, you see, there are problems, so they decided to unite, this is the decision of the presidents.
— Do you not consider it hasty?
— I can think as I wish, but other people decide. However, I do not think it is hasty. I believe Grigory Kozlovsky thought it all over, he is a smart person and knows what he is doing.
— Is it fair to leave fans without a derby and merge with a fierce rival?
— I know Lviv fans because I started at "Karpaty", I studied in the boarding school, went to football in my childhood. I understand perfectly the dissatisfaction of some fans. I can’t imagine what it will be like if there are no results and the team loses. We can only guess how the fans will behave.
— Is this a very big plus for "Karpaty"?
— For the team itself, of course, this is a plus. I really like the players of "Rukh", so this is a very serious reinforcement for "Karpaty". Local, young, talented guys will definitely help and be needed for the "lions".
— Will fans accept those players who left "Karpaty" for "Rukh"? They were not very warmly welcomed in the derby.
— I believe this depends on the results. You know, as they say: "from love to hate is one step", but it can also be the other way around. If the guys will play, psychologically be ready, the main thing is that they should not worry about what the fans will say. They need to go out and play football. If they win, everything will be forgotten.
— Will "Karpaty" absorb "Rukh" or will it still be a merger?
— I think they will absorb. "Karpaty" has a stable financial situation. It turns out that the initiative to unite came from "Rukh". I cannot say for sure, only the club presidents might know this.
— Do you think the merger will happen due to a lack of funding?
— I heard that due to financial problems. I would say if I knew for sure, but I am not 100% confident. People said that this is the situation.
Andriy Pavlechenko
