In early December, a training and advisory event of the Professional Football League of Ukraine took place in Kyiv. Representatives from the UAF, PFL, and all clubs of the PFL participated.

The event began with an opening speech by the head of the PFL, Oleksandr Kadenko, who acquainted those present with the main and most relevant issues in contemporary sports organizations.

On the first day of the seminar, a packed program included several important lectures.

In particular, Sergei Yelshov, head of the club accreditation department at the UAF, spoke about the nuances regarding the procedure for clubs to undergo accreditation. He informed about recent changes in the accreditation regulations and answered the most relevant questions.

Photo by PFL press service

Then, Yevgeniya Yershova, head of the Committee on Player Status and Transfers at the UAF, acquainted those present with the intricacies of the regulation in this area.

Photo by PFL press service

The heads of the first and second leagues were addressed by Kateryna Monzul, head of the Arbiters Committee at the UAF. Even while on a business trip, she found time for participants in the Ukrainian football championship — online. And directly in the hall, FIFA instructor Viktor Derdo made quite a resonant presentation. He spoke about the main changes to the rules of play in football-2024/2025, analyzed controversial moments and situations from PFL matches with examples, provided interesting and illustrative arbitration cases, and answered numerous questions.

Photo by PFL press service

The head of the UAF's Ethics and Fair Play Committee, Andriy Davydchenko, as well as committee secretary Anastasiya Bilenko, spoke about initiatives aimed at increasing awareness among players, coaches, and staff regarding fair play principles. The task of the committee representatives is to cover all professional football in Ukraine, literally speaking with every player and coach. This practice — a preventive measure by the UAF against fixed matches and other manifestations of misconduct in football. Those present were acquainted with some cases of fixed matches that lead to disqualification of clubs, players, and referees and loss of fan trust.

Photo by PFL press service

Interestingly, there is currently a bill in the Verkhovna Rada that would criminalize participation in fixed matches and provide for more serious consequences — up to seven years of imprisonment. The chat-bot Fair Play Assistant, where all those involved in football can report potential violations of the fair play code, as well as acquaint themselves with Ukrainian legislation, was presented.

Bohdan Melnyk and Vitaliy Maniko presented a UAF project on amputee football. This is a new social initiative «League of Greats». It was launched to engage people with amputated limbs or impairment in one limb into the game loved by millions — football.

Photo by PFL press service

Andriy Taran, head of the UAF's Committee on Stadiums and Safety in Matches, spoke about current issues related to conducting competitions under a state of war.

The acting head of the Disciplinary Committee at the UAF, Oksana Zalizko, spoke about the specifics of considering cases in disciplinary bodies as well as changes in disciplinary rules.

Photo by PFL press service

The second day of the seminar gave guests an opportunity to informally communicate, exchange experience and discuss management processes in their clubs.

Igor Khymych, a representative of the UAF's Licensing Center, spoke about current requirements for coaching education under UEFA programs.

And at the end of the seminar, Igor Gryshchenko, general secretary of the UAF, delivered greetings from President Andriy Shevchenko and assured in the maximum openness of the UAF, which was evidenced by this seminar for participants of all-Ukrainian competitions under the auspices of the PFL. It is intended to help professional football continue to flourish, maintain its mass appeal, geographic spread, and keep discovering new stars.