During the 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress, held in Brussels on 12 February, President of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, and President of the UAF, Andrii Shevchenko, renewed the collaboration agreement first signed two years ago at the Paris Congress.

The relationship between the Italian and Ukrainian Federations is now well established. Over the troubling years of conflict, the two national football associations have strengthened their collaboration, with the FIGC playing a leading role in sending technical and essential supplies to Ukraine, organising online training sessions for grassroots coaches, and hosting groups of young Ukrainian footballers at the Federal Training Centre in Coverciano. The previous agreement, now reinforced by the positive outcomes of earlier initiatives, has already built strong ties between the two national federations, benefiting both organisations and the development, promotion, and growth of football in each country.

 

The collaboration agreement will see the two federations work together on a range of projects in their shared areas of cooperation, including technical training initiatives for players and coaches, as well as events involving members of both sides. Italy and Ukraine will also set up an exchange programme to improve access to technical and educational materials, courses, and football facilities. In light of the ongoing conflict, the FIGC will continue to show its support for the Ukrainian football community.

President Gravina said, “The FIGC stands alongside our Ukrainian friends. I am pleased that, as President Shevchenko has stated, the initiatives we have developed over the last two years have led to tangible benefits to the UAF and to Ukrainian football as a whole. With this new agreement, we aim to reinforce this invaluable partnership, which focuses on several priorities, especially training and development of football activities, so that sport can be a tool to keep hope alive in such a difficult time.”

Today, Tuesday 17 February, and on Thursday 19, there are back-to-back friendlies scheduled between the two Under-18 national teams. Both matches will take place at the Riano Athletic Centre in Riano (Rome). Last November, Italy and Ukraine also played each other in two Under-16 friendlies at Coverciano.