The Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Dmitry Sidorov, spoke about the idea of football clubs joining the roster of teams that compete in the Russian championship, a topic reported by Sport Express. He framed the discussion as part of a broader effort to raise the competitive level of teams from the region within Russian football structures.
Speaking in straightforward terms, Sidorov emphasized that the central goal is to ensure clubs from the LPR can contend at the highest levels in Russia across all competitions. He noted that the 50th anniversary of Zorya Luhansk’s USSR championship title serves as a proud tradition and a reminder of the standard that fans and players alike expect. The minister warned that mediocrity has no place in their plans, underscoring a commitment to strong performance and consistency in every match, every season.
Alexander Alaev, formerly a vice president of the Russian Football Union (RFU), weighed in on the possibility of Crimean football becoming integrated into the RFU’s organizational framework. Alaev’s commentary reflects ongoing discussions about how regional clubs could align with Russia’s governing bodies while navigating the complex political landscape surrounding the peninsula.
On September 29, it became public that a working group within the National Football League had been formed to explore the integration of Crimean and Sevastopol clubs into the Russian championship. The move signals a step toward aligning regional football institutions with Russia’s national competition structure, albeit within a context of broader international and regional sensitivities.
It is important to recall that FIFA and UEFA have previously decided to exclude the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from participation in competitions governed by these organizations. The resulting isolation in certain international arenas has shaped the strategic considerations of Russian football authorities as they evaluate options for domestic competition and potential cross-border arrangements. [Source: Sport Express]