The XXIII Conference of the PFL took place today in the capital of Ukraine. The agenda, consisting of 12 items, was presented to delegates and reported by the PFL press service. Among those present were President of the Ukrainian Football Association and UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko and First Vice-President of the UFA Oleg Protasov.

Delegates heard a report on the PFL's work in the 2021/2022 season from President of the PFL Oleksandr Kadenka, as well as an audit company’s report on financial and economic activities for 2021. The work of the PFL was deemed satisfactory. It is worth noting that due to Russian aggression, it was impossible to complete the 2021/2022 season in all leagues of Ukraine's football championship; however, interim results were confirmed, and team exchanges between leagues allowed for representation in European competitions and planning a new season.

To support clubs that found themselves in a difficult situation due to the war, delegates considered a mechanism for preserving league status, which was approved eight years ago. It was supported to temporarily suspend participation in PFL matches during the 2022/2023 season for some clubs that lost their ability to function fully due to Russian aggression. Over twenty FCs will take advantage of this option. The practice of 2014 showed that for many, such a forced pause became an opportunity to restart the club after the territory was liberated by Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Photo from PFL press service

As tradition dictates, attendees warmly welcomed newcomers to the competition under the auspices of the PFL. This year, four clubs joined the second league: FC "Vast" (Mykolaiv), FC "Niva" (Buzova), PFC "Zvyahel" (Novohrad-Volynskyi) and "Khust City" (Khust). Three clubs from the first league took advantage of the option to field their reserve teams ("two-teams"). Thus, in the new season, we will see "Metalurh-2" (Zaporizhzhia), "Kremen-2" (Kremenchuk) and "Polesye-2" (Zhytomyr).

Based on the results of thorough discussions and consultations with all clubs in the first and second leagues, the composition of participants and format for conducting championships among teams from the first and second leagues for the 2022/2023 season were approved. The Regulation and schedule-calendar of All-Ukrainian competitions among PFL club teams for the 2022/2023 season were also confirmed.

"For both the UFA and the leadership of the PFL, as well as the Premier League management, security is the main issue in preparing for the start of competitions."

We have received a protocol on the safety of conducting the championship approved by military, law enforcement agencies, Ministry of Youth and Sports, and local authorities. This will be the first tournament in history held under conditions of full-scale war. On our part, the UFA is ready to support clubs during matches in the UPL, PFL, women's teams, and U-19, taking on arbitration costs as well as VAR technology application for UPL games.

The football community contributes daily to the common victory of all Ukraine. Soon, efforts will be added to restoring football life in the country, which will inspire both soldiers and all patriots of our state. The resumption of competitions is a signal to the world that Ukrainian spirit cannot be broken! Our people are united and stronger than ever!