Crimean Clubs Tavria Simferopol, Sevastopol Consider Whether To Quit Ukraine League

Crimean-based football clubs Tavria Simferopol and Sevastopol "are considering whether to quit the Ukrainian premier league and join Russia's league next season," according to Igor Nitsak of REUTERS. Sevastopol is ready to complete the current season in the Ukrainian league but hopes that UEFA and FIFA "will agree to the shift to Russian football, after Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula." Sevastopol President Alexander Krasilnikov said, "We are working on an explanatory letter addressed to UEFA, FIFA and the football federation of Ukraine." Club representatives said that "they had not contacted Russian football officials because they were waiting on political decisions." Ukraine "does not recognise a treaty signed in Moscow on Tuesday which made Crimea part of Russia." Ukraine's football federation said in a statement on its website, "We are the witnesses of the unstable situation in our country which unfortunately touched upon football as well" (REUTERS, 3/18).