The Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) has called it illegal to include teams from the temporarily occupied Crimea in Division B of the Russian second league. "Sevastopol" and Yalta-based Rubin had already played their first matches in the aggressor country's league the day before.

The UAF has sent a letter to the European Football Union (UEFA) and the International Football Federation (FIFA) demanding a response to these actions by the Russians, according to the website of our federation. In particular, the UAF insists on the expulsion of the Russian Football Union (RFU) from international organisations.

"Despite UAF's numerous appeals to FIFA and UEFA on this issue, on 16.07.2023, FC "Sevastopol" and FC Rubin played their first matches in the second Russian division. We regard such actions as a gross violation of the FIFA and UEFA statutes on the special status of Crimean football. The UAF reiterates its appeal to FIFA and UEFA to consider expelling the Russian Federation from FIFA and UEFA membership due to its proven non-compliance with the requirements of the statutes of the world and European governing bodies and the values of the world football family," the UAF stressed.

It should be noted that after the match against "Sevastopol" in Crimea, SKA Rostov came under attack on the Crimean Bridge in the early morning hours of 17 July. The bus with the players was a few dozen metres from the site of the explosion and collapse of the bridge span.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, State Duma deputies were wildly delighted that Russia had violated UEFA's request and allowed Crimean teams to participate in the Russian second league championship.

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