President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko had a meeting with President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Michel Platini.
The Head of State informed that returning from the airport he had seen about 50 football fans near the Presidential Administration who had demanded not to give the Crimean clubs to Russia. "I've approached them and promised to struggle for the Russian championship not to be held in the Crimea, for it is our land," the Head of State said. "The Crimea is and will be Ukrainian," the President emphasized.
UEFA President Michel Platini informed that the UEFA had established a working group on that issue. Constant dialogue has been established between the UEFA President and Honorary President of the Football Federation of Ukraine who has also been present at the meeting.
According to Platini, final decision will be adopted in the framework of the UEFA statutory regulations at the meeting of the UEFA leaders in Lausanne on December 4.
President Poroshenko emphasized that it was important for Ukraine to maintain control over the development of football in the Crimea. Petro Poroshenko expressed opinion that it was important for the UEFA not to be involved in non-football battles for the peninsula.
The interlocutors have also recalled the European Football Championship – 2012. Michel Platini noted that it "has been very successful and one of the best in the UEFA history". Petro Poroshenko shared his memories of the football match between Ukraine and France in Donetsk. "After the game, after the night rainfall, the city was full of people. Many of them had Ukrainian flags, scarves and the entire Donetsk was singing the Ukrainian Anthem. On that day, Donetsk was Ukrainian as never before. I really want to see such Donetsk again," the President said emphasizing that football creates incredible atmosphere of unity and patriotism.