By Victor Kanayo
War-torn Ukraine are facing another trouble after World football governing body FIFA and European soccer authorities UEFA, warned its Football Association (UAF) that they could face an international suspension.
The warning according to the two powerful football bodies will translate to action if the country go ahead with a planned meeting to replace disgraced President Andriy Pavelko with ex-international Andriy Shevchenko in his place.
By the way, Shevchenko is regarded as their greatest footballer ever.
UAF vice-president Oleg Protasov revealed the threat from football’s governing bodies in a post on his Facebook page.
Already, UAF have scheduled a virtual extraordinary committee meeting to discuss replacing Pavelko after he was arrested last month for allegedly misusing international aid funds.
A few days later, a group of UAF officials nominated the 46-year-old Shevchenko, who scored 48 goals in 111 international appearances for Ukraine, to replace him.
But FIFA and UEFA have now expressed concern about the possible pressure exerted on members of the UAF by the Ukrainian government before the meeting.
There have even been claims that the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) may be involved and allegations it is a Russian plot to “kill Ukrainian football”.
“FIFA and UEFA, in a letter addressed to the vice-presidents of the UAF, remind that the Ukrainian Association should manage its affairs without the influence of third parties,” Protasov wrote.
“Any violation of this obligation may lead to the suspension of the membership of the UAF in FIFA and UEFA in accordance with Art. 16 of the FIFA Statute and Art. 9 of the UEFA Statute.
“I would like to remind you that previously all the members of the [UFA] Executive Committee were sent an action plan regarding the convening and holding of a virtual Executive Committee of the UAF regarding distrust and removal of the leadership of the Ukrainian Association.
“And before that, six heads of regional football associations wrote protocols on convening the UAF Congress in the offices of heads of regional military administrations and under the watchful eye of the SBU.
“Today I received new information, it turns out that the Ministry of Justice will be involved before the authorities fully intervene in football affairs.”
Ukraine have been engrossed on war brought upon once a peaceful nation by Russia some months ago.
