Ukrainian Club Veles Proposes to Host Abandoned Match After Two-Month Delay by Ethics Committee.

20.03.2026 644

20.03.2026 644

Veres' abandoned match on home pitch

Dispute Over Unplayed Match Between Veles and Metalist 1925

According to Novyny.live: The Ukrainian Premier League match between FC Veles and Metalist 1925 was initially called off due to lighting failures at the stadium in Zhytomyr. This fixture is part of the first round of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL). In a recent development, the Rivne-based club Veles has formally requested to host the rescheduled match at its own home ground. This move comes as a direct response to the prolonged inaction of the Ukrainian Football Association's (UAF) Committee for Ethics and Fair Play, which has failed to issue a ruling on the matter for over two months.

The club's supervisory board unanimously supported the initiative, which was presented by club president Ivan Nadein. He emphasized the lengthy delay, stating,

"It has been more than two months without a decision from the UAF's Ethics Committee regarding this match."

This administrative hold-up has forced Veles to seek a resolution by proposing to stage the game in Rivne.

Current Standings in the League

In the current UPL standings, Metalist 1925 sits in seventh place with 24 points from 15 matches. Veles, meanwhile, occupies eleventh place with 18 points. The unresolved status of this match has caused concern among supporters of both clubs, who are awaiting a final decision that could impact the league table. Delays in adjudicating such incidents are not uncommon in Ukrainian football, often highlighting broader governance challenges within the sport's administration.

The controversy surrounding the Veles versus Metalist 1925 game points to wider issues of procedural efficiency within Ukrainian football governance, specifically concerning delays by the UAF's disciplinary bodies. Fans and the clubs involved hope for a swift and fair resolution, as the outcome could significantly affect Veles's position and trajectory in the league. It is crucial for football's governing bodies to act decisively to prevent similar situations from arising in the future and to maintain the integrity of the competition.