The main innovation in the accreditation procedure lies in the gradual integration of children's and youth teams into the club structure or in creating corresponding branches, where clubs from the UPL will directly own at least 51% of the property share of DYSZ (Children's and Youth Sports Schools).

The full implementation period of the regulatory norm will last four seasons: from 2027/2028 to 2030/2031. The initial stage provides for the presence in the club structure or its branch of teams of age groups U-11 and U-12.

Clubs from the UPL that currently cooperate with external DYSZ on contractual terms must fully adapt to new standards over a four-year period, involving young football players of other age groups for the purpose of creating corresponding training groups.

The number of mandatory children's and youth teams will increase annually:

• Season 2027/2028: two age groups — U-11 and U-12;
• Season 2028/2029: four age groups — from U-10 to U-13;
• Season 2029/2030: six age groups — from U-10 to U-15;
• Season 2030/2031 (final stage): eight age groups — from U-10 to U-17.

Why is this important?

The amendments approved by the Executive Committee of the UAF will allow for a definitive change in the cooperation between clubs from the UPL and DYSZ, which currently has only a formal character due to the presence of mere written agreements.

The transitional period gives clubs enough time to build full-fledged verticals of children's and youth football — from the youngest age groups to youth and junior teams.

These changes aim to motivate clubs that are seeking UPL accreditation to move away from the practice of cooperating with children's and youth sports schools through written agreements, instead obliging them to have their own DYSZ with at least eight age categories, which will contribute to a comprehensive development of club systems and children's and youth football in general.

UAF Regulation on the Accreditation of Football Clubs in the UPL (2025 edition)