The former coach of "Dnipro-1" Oleksandr Kuchers spoke about the ongoing court battle with his former club regarding debts. It should be noted that earlier the specialist reported that "Dnipro-1" had not paid him salary for three months, and also did not pay bonuses for the second place and European cups.
Oleksandr Kuchers— Oleksandr Mykolayovych, are there any movements regarding the debts of "Dnipro-1"?
— The situation remains the same. Nothing has changed for us. I received a letter from the UAF Dispute Resolution Chamber that a hearing on this case was supposed to take place on February 19 and some decision would be made. However, I have not received anything yet.
It turns out that under the new UAF administration, my case has been lying for a year, and I submitted it back in November 2023 under the old administration. You see how people work here. If you submit to FIFA, you get a decision in two weeks, and here we have not been able to sort it out for a year and a half. I do not understand how everything is working so hard in our country. Maybe someone has some influence...
This cannot be. Well, three months I can still understand. What else can be considered? Is there a contract? Yes. Is there a debt? Yes. Make a decision. That's it. I do not believe that there is such a backlog of cases that has not been cleared for a year and a half. We do not have that many football players.
— In the last six months, have you spoken to any former managers of "Dnipro-1" on this topic?
— When there were rumors about the possible closure of the club, I spoke with Vyacheslav Friedman. He said: “Well, now, maybe, we will give something. The club is settling with someone.” After some time, he called back, and I heard from him: “No, there will be nothing. File, win the case, and maybe someday someone will give you something.” That’s how it is.
Our coaches and players are unprotected, so the officials do whatever they want. This cannot be. Friedman at least responds, while Andriy Rusol doesn’t even pick up the phone.
— Who did you sign the contract with when you moved to "Dnipro-1"?
— The option with "Dnipro-1" was mentioned to me by Yevhen Krasnikov. I didn't want to go there, but he asked for help. Everyone understood how difficult the situation was at "Metalist". They wanted to save the club. I don’t know if any funds were allocated, I won’t say anything. I didn’t touch money. My job was to train, and that’s what I did.
In the end, of course, I did not refuse Krasnikov, since we spent many years together, and I went to "Dnipro-1". After that, I contacted Rusol regarding the contract.
I even have a piece of paper from "Dnipro-1" stating that the club acknowledges this debt. The entire amount is specified there. When we terminated the contract, they told me: “We give you this piece of paper that we owe. Within one month, we will settle up with you.” I asked: “What if you don’t settle?” They replied: “Well, then you will have to take it to court.”
— Can you also legally prove the unpaid bonuses?
— Yes. When I came to "Dnipro-1", I was only given a salary. It was not very high. I went on the same terms as in "Metalist". I said: “At least give me some bonuses for results.” Probably, no one expected we would take any places. Now we are waiting. Maybe there will be something, and maybe not.
— What do you expect now?
— Of course, it is necessary to have some verdict made. From it, we can start from. I do not know if I will get this money.
Andriy Piskun
