Uefa drags its heels over action against Russia’s fake Ukrainian clubs
Summary
UEFA has not acted on Ukraine’s complaint about Russian football clubs based in illegally occupied Ukrainian areas joining Russia’s football leagues. Fake versions of two major Ukrainian clubs are playing in lower Russian leagues, which Ukraine says breaks football rules and supports Russia’s occupation.Key Facts
- Ukrainian football asked UEFA last year to investigate Russian clubs formed in occupied Ukraine.
- These clubs include fake versions of Shakhtar Donetsk and Zorya Luhansk playing in Russia’s fourth-tier league.
- The fake Shakhtar team leads its group and aims to rise to higher leagues in Russia.
- The fake Zorya team plays in Russia’s fifth tier but trains partly in occupied Ukraine.
- Two other Crimean clubs have played in Russian leagues since the occupation began.
- UEFA has not responded to Ukraine’s request or taken visible action.
- Russia’s national team and clubs remain banned from international competitions but Russia's football union is still a member of global football bodies.
- The Ukrainian Football Association says these clubs try to legitimize Russia’s occupation and erase Ukrainian football identity.
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