Ukraine aim to clean up game

Stick to the rules
At the Executive Committee meeting last weekend, it was acknowledged that corruption has been present in the Ukrainian Premier League in the past, but the clubs agreed to adhere to strict fair play rules from now on.

Letter from presidents
The presidents of the leading Ukrainian clubs addressed the UFF with an open letter, asking them to develop and implement more efficient ways to oust match-fixing from Ukrainian competitions. The council of presidents, which was formed last year and brings together all the heads of the Premier League clubs, has asked the UFF to grant them legal powers in an attempt to clamp down on corruption.

Referees ask for UEFA rules
Ukrainian referees also asked the UFF to adopt UEFA rules for match officials, which would prevent club representatives from contacting referees before the game. The referees implied that they often experience undue pressure from club officials who are allowed to see them prior to a match.

Fair play committee
After an extended meeting on Saturday, the UFF executive committee eventually voted for the creation of a fair play committee, which will overlook Ukrainian league and cup games. Officially, committee roles will include preventing pressure being put on referees and delegates as well as preventing match-fixing. Only three clubs, including the joint league-leaders FC Shakhtar Donetsk have not delegated their representatives to the committee.

Surkis upbeat
The UFF president, Grygory Surkis, was upbeat as he spoke about the chances of the fair play initiative changing the situation in Ukrainian football. "It is just the first step to make our football cleaner. We will be straightforward and quick about those who try to break fair play rules from now on," he told uefa.com. Surkis also implied that criminal charges will be filed against any offender found guilty of breaking the new regulations.