The former head of the Ukrainian Football Association (UFA), Andriy Pavelko, has been officially placed on the wanted list after leaving the country. The Kyiv Ministry of Internal Affairs added him to the list of individuals evading investigation on the evening of Thursday, December 25.
According to information released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the date of Pavelko's "disappearance" is recorded as November 5, 2025. Investigators have charged him under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code — embezzlement or misuse of property through abuse of office, as well as Part 1 of Article 366 — falsification of official documents.
For reference, Andriy Pavelko led first the Ukrainian Football Federation and later the Ukrainian Football Association (after it was renamed) from March 2015 to January 2024. His tenure coincided with some of the most challenging years for football in the country.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, specifically since November 2022, Pavelko has been one of the key figures in a criminal case linked to the construction of a factory for producing artificial turf for football fields. According to investigators, a significant amount of budgeted funds was misappropriated as part of this project.
Law enforcement agencies report that UFA officials embezzled 26.5 million hryvnias, approximately 600,000 euros, during equipment procurement processes. In connection with this case, the former general secretary of the Football Association, Yuriy Zapisotsky, has also been charged.
It is noted that Andriy Pavelko was held in custody from June 2023 until February 2024. However, following his release from the detention center, he managed to leave Ukraine. So far, no official information has been provided about how he left the country or his current location.
In summary, the controversy surrounding the individual who led Ukrainian football for many years has entered a new phase. The resolution of this case and when Pavelko will be located remain at the center of public attention in the country.
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