Andriy Pavelko Getty Images December 24, 2025, 6:18 p.m

The former president of the Ukrainian Football Association, Andriy Pavelko, fled outside Ukraine. This was reported by the popular Telegram channel Lachen and a number of sports media.

According to preliminary data, to cross the border, the odious official used a scheme with registration of a fictitious disability. We will remind you that Andriy Pavelko was in custody for a long time in the Lviv pre-trial detention center in connection with the case of embezzlement of funds during the construction of a plant for the production of artificial grass.

However, the preventive measure was later relaxed: he was released under house arrest. The fact that he was under investigation should have made it impossible to travel abroad, but Pavelko, according to sources, was able to bypass the restrictions by obtaining the status of a person with a disability.

The scale of financial violations during Pavelko’s presidency (2015–2023) became known after an independent audit. The inspection revealed a colossal lack of funds — 1.7 billion hryvnias.

Among the main frauds are: Taking money offshore through the purchase of equipment at inflated prices. Unjustified payments to foreign consultants worth millions of euros. Disappearance of significant sums allocated by international donors (UEFA and FIFA) for the development of children’s football.

Currently, the issue of submitting Andriy Pavelek to the international wanted list through Interpol is being actively discussed. At the same time, insiders report that the ex-functionary is already trying to “solve the issue” in order to avoid arrest abroad and extradition to Ukraine.