Under Shevchenko’s leadership: Ukraine surpassed even Russia in the UEFA rankings
4 July 11:53
On the eve of the start of the new European Cup season 2025/26 UEFA has updated the table of coefficients, the official website of the Union of European Football Associations informs, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
Ukraine lost positions
Ukraine lost 6.800 points, which were previously earned in the season 2020/21. Accordingly, our country dropped in the ranking from 23rd to 28th place.
Moreover, in the UEFA ranking, Russia has overtaken Ukraine: the aggressor country is now in 26th place with 18,299 points. While Ukraine’s points are 17,600.
All this happened despite the fact that since 2022 Russia is not represented in any European Cup tournaments at all. The corresponding bans on participation in the championships were imposed on Russia because of the attack on Ukraine.
What are the consequences
the 28th position does not bring direct changes for quotas in European cups, but Ukraine risks dropping below the 30th place. And then it will lead to reduced privileges in the Conference League qualification: only one club will start from the second round and another from the first.
For the 2025/26 season Ukraine has announced only four clubs – the lowest number since the 2008/09 season.
Who is in charge of soccer
In January 2024, the Ukrainian Football Association was headed by former footballer and ex-coach of the Ukrainian national team Andriy Shevchenko.
In April this year Andriy Shevchenko lost the elections to the UEFA executive committee. Now, within 2 years Ukraine will not have the right to vote in the executive committee of the Union of European Football Associations.
Shevchenko’s predecessor, Andriy Pavelko had previously twice won elections to the UEFA executive committee.
Salary scandal
In April, Andriy Shevchenko’s earnings as head of the UAF became known. His multi-million dollar salary shocked the soccer community.
Thus, according to the soccer media and sports columnist Igor Burbas, the general secretary of the UAF Igor Hryshchenko received UAH 1,530,266 of salary in December.
And, in fact, the head of the UAF Andriy Shevchenko received a salary of 3,105,764 hryvnias in the last month of 2024.
