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The Ukrainian Premier League has been suspended after the government’s imposition of martial law following neighbouring Russia’s decision to launch an attack on the country.
Russian president Vladimir Putin opted to launch a military assault on Ukraine on Thursday, having previously recognised the independence of two breakaway regions in the east of the country.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, responded by cutting diplomatic ties with Moscow and announcing the imposition of martial law.
As a result, Ukraine’s premier footballing competition will be forced to halt.
“Due to the imposition of martial law in Ukraine, the championship of Ukraine has been suspended,” read a short statement on the league’s website.
Defending champions and 16-time winners Dynamo Kiev currently trail Shakhtar Donetsk by two points at the division’s summit, although the competition’s ability to reach a conclusion will now be thrown into doubt.
The ongoing crisis has also brought scrutiny to UEFA’s decision to host May’s Champions League final in the Russian city of St Petersburg, with recent reports suggesting European football’s showpiece event could be moved from the Gazprom Arena.
Likewise, FIFA’s World Cup qualification campaign could also be affected, with Russia due to face Poland and Ukraine set to meet Scotland in the upcoming play-offs next month.
