Ukraine Game Switched

[Steve Davy]

The European Championship B match between Ukraine and Russia, scheduled for Kharkiv on 24 May, has been switched to Russia due to the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine.

Kharkiv is the headquarters of the Ukrainian Rugby League Federation (UFRL) but there is presently no stable municipal authority with the power to guarantee the safety of the participants and spectators.

Considering that national elections are due to take place on 25 May, and following consultations with the UFRL and the Russian Association of Rugby League Clubs, the Rugby League European Federation has switched the match to Naro-Fominsk in Russia on the same date.

The 2015 reverse fixture will now take place in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s home match against Italy, on 5 July, is still scheduled for Kharkov until further notice.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Gees, could be a heated clash that one. Best of luck to the referee.

 

[Kurt Angle]

if Ukrainian RL is based out of Kharkov, then it would be safe to say the game in Ukraine is the domain of ethnic Russians.

 

[deal.with.it]

Well Kharkov is a city with majority ethnic Ukrainians.

 

[crimpo]

The Rugby XIII teams are predominantly in areas of the Ukraine with very large Russian populations (though none were in the Crimea - perhaps fortunately). They have also always had close and friendly links with the Russian Rugby League. Legion XIII played in the Russian League before they could get the Ukrainian League up and running. The two sides will want a good and tough encounter - nothing more than that. Let's just hope they get to play and can retain their friendship while others (on all sides) are encouraging hatred and violence.