The future of two Ukrainian first-tier football clubs, FC Sevastopol and FC Tavria, is uncertain amidst fears of a Russian invasion of Crimea, a region with a predominantly Russian population. Tavria, based in Simferopol, the capital of the Black Sea peninsular region, and Sevastopol, based near the Russian navy base, have found themselves in an uncomfortable position as tensions between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea escalate, and local authorities disobey orders from the capital, Kiev, where a new government was recently formed following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovich. A Sevastopol spokesperson told SBD Global, "The squad is preparing for the resumption of the season in a normal way." Tavria was unavailable for comment, but General Dir Alexander Boitsman said in a statement that the club hasn't been affected by the recent political developments. He said, "Our club is not a political party and it doesn't take part in political events."
PLAYERS SHEPHERDED AWAY: Meanwhile, the Russian online newspaper Gazeta.ru reported that Tavria's foreign players have been sent home out of safety concerns. Conservative deputies of the Russian State Duma, the lower chamber of Parliament, have suggested that the two Crimean squads should pull out of the Ukrainian league and join the Russian league. But the clubs and the Ukrainian football federation ridiculed the idea. Ukrainian Football Federation President Anatoly Konkov said, "The statement from the Russian State Duma is very strange. How can it decide where Ukrainian football clubs should play?" A Sevastopol spokesperson said, "We don't comment on rubbish." Ukrainian league games were supposed to be resumed after the winter break on March 7, but are postponed until further notice.
Vladimir Kozlov is a writer in Moscow.
