On August 16, physical fitness testing for Premier League referees and assistant referees as well as officials of the U-19 championship took place on the football fields named after V. Bannikov at NTK.

Last week, ahead of the start of the Ukrainian Championship among Premier League teams and U-19 competitions for the 2022/2023 season, referees and assistant referees participated in an online conference regarding safety issues for football matches, familiarized themselves with the protocol of Additional Security Measures for organizing and conducting football matches in Ukraine under martial law, and passed a theoretical test on the Laws of the Game.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

The comprehensive preparation program for the referees to start the season concluded on Tuesday with FIFA tests. Despite rainy weather and difficult running conditions, all referees successfully passed the Yo-Yo test, while assistant referees completed the Ariet test.

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

“I was pleasantly surprised by the physical fitness of the referees and assistant referees, as I last saw them during tests in January. Despite a forced multi-month break, match officials demonstrated an excellent level,” said Luciano Luca, head of the Referees Committee of the UAF, after completing the testing. “I am confident that they will have maximum motivation for this season as conducting the Ukrainian Championship under such difficult circumstances is a great challenge. I compliment President Andriy Pavelko of the UAF and President Volodymyr Zelensky for their decision to continue playing football. Football is part of everyone's life, and even in wartime people would not have enough of it.”

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

After the completion of the preparation program for the upcoming season, UPL referees and assistant referees as well as officials of the U-19 competitions were greeted by President of the UAF and UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko. He wished representatives of football justice to work honorably at matches in a unique championship that will take place under martial law.

“For all these months, we have dreamed of bringing football back to our country. Now it is returning. This is the position of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the leadership of Ukrainian football and clubs. In such difficult times in Ukraine, there will be a unique championship with football. The first and, I hope, last championship during full-scale war.”

Photos by Pavel Kubanov

When the UAF started building plans for restoring football in the country, FIFA and UEFA received it as a sensation. Every match of the upcoming championship will enter the history of European and world football. The whole world will be watching us because Ukraine is an example of courage, bravery, resilience, and fighting spirit. We are showing everyone that we are an unbreakable nation. That we can play football even in wartime.

It is important for you to come onto the football field with maximum concentration and avoid critical mistakes. Every serious mistake can cost a lot. So I wish you quality refereeing throughout the entire season, which will be unique for our country.”

“Since March, we have met with many referees in various regions within the activities of the UAF Coordination Center and our regional humanitarian hubs. From the first days of full-scale war, our referees actively joined the defense of Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces, helped soldiers, medics, internally displaced persons from the conflict zone, and football veterans for which I am very grateful.

Soon they will need to focus on quality refereeing to support the restoration of football life in our country and support football. Because it is football that is an important social event that supports both our soldiers and millions of fans during this difficult period. It is important that referees understand — only the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be the sole winner of the future championship, thanks to whom its conduct is possible at all. I asked all referees to remember this on every match day, as well as to remember their comrade Dmitry Kubryak, who, working as a neurosurgeon, saved the lives of our soldiers in Mariupol and is now in captivity.

We believe in freeing Dmitry and we believe in Ukraine's victory! Thank you to all referees for your patriotism! I thank the head of the Referees Committee of the UAF Luciano Luca for supporting our country and continuing the development of Ukrainian football refereeing!