The Ukrainian Football Federation (UAF) is facing a significant leadership moment as President Andriy Pavelko was removed from his duties by a ruling of the Kiev Pechersky District Court, according to DEA News citing Vesti, a Ukrainian edition. On February 16, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out searches at the UAF headquarters, and Pavelko now faces criminal charges related to alleged corruption. His legal team has challenged the court’s decision, arguing against the ruling’s implications. Despite the court action, the UAF stated that Pavelko would remain at the helm until the ruling becomes final and enforceable.
The timeline traces back to late November 2022 when Pavelko was detained in connection with a scheme involving the embezzlement of funds used to organize the production of artificial turf for football fields. He was later released on bail set at $260,000. The events have cast a wide shadow over the federation and its governance, attracting attention from fans and stakeholders alike.
Pavelko has been a vocal participant in international sport politics, urging that Russian national teams and clubs be kept out of global competitions. He has also opposed the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, arguing that geopolitical tensions should influence eligibility in major events. His stance aligns with a broader debate about sport and national identity in the region and the role of sanctions in international sport governance.
In related reactions, Emil Aliyev, the former President of the Russian Futsal Federation and a member of the board of the Russian Football Union, commented on the decision by the Union of European Football Federations. UEFA recently sanctioned the Ukrainian Futsal Federation over fan conduct during a 2022 European Championship semi-final match against the Russian squad, a move that has sparked further discussion about discipline, accountability, and the behavior of supporters in international competitions. The development is part of ongoing tensions between Ukrainian sports bodies and their Russian counterparts following geopolitical events.