Shevchenko is called to be suspended: audio scandal with threats threatens UAF
25 July 2025 20:21
Journalist Ihor Burbas has released audio recordings exposing possible interference by the leadership of the Ukrainian Football Association in the election of the head of the Kherson Regional Football Association. The recordings allegedly show the head of the Vinnytsia association, Irek Gataullin, demanding that the representative of Kherson region, Oleksiy Krucher, support the “pro-government” candidate, threatening to create an alternative structure in the region, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing expres.online.
The conversation repeatedly mentions the name of UAF President Andriy Shevchenko. According to Gataullin, he “vouched with his head” to Shevchenko for the desired result. There are also references to the possible involvement of the military administration.
Gataullin makes disparaging remarks about Vitaliy Kvartsianyi and Ihor Khiblin, and boasts of his influence on Surkis and Akhmetov.
Oleksiy Krucher confirmed the authenticity of the recordings, noting that he resorted to recording the conversations because of direct threats. Subsequently, Gataullin publicly apologized to Kvartsyan and Khiblin, which, according to journalists, is an indirect recognition of the authenticity of the audio.
Krucher filed a complaint with the UAF Ethics and Fair Play Committee, but for an independent investigation, the initiators demand the suspension of all those involved, including Ihor Hryshchenko, Vitaliy Danilchenko, Gataullin himself, and Andriy Shevchenko.
Problems with referees jeopardize the start of the UPL season
Another scandal has engulfed the judiciary. According to Burbas, more than a third of the referees selected to work in the UPL failed the mandatory FIFA fitness test. Out of 28 referees, at least 10 failed the test, including Volodymyr Novokhatnyi, Andrii Shandor, Maksym Kozyryatskyi, Anastasiia Romanyuk, Sofia Prychyna, Liudmyla Telbukh, and Kristina Kozoroh.
Despite the requirements of the regulations, they were allegedly promised work in VAR vans until the tests were retaken in mid-August. The UAF has not yet responded officially to the situation, and the start of the season, scheduled for August 1, is at risk of being disrupted due to staff shortages.
