Ukraine manager resigns over match-fixing row

KIEV (AFP) – Miron Markevich resigned as manager of Ukraine on Saturday in protest at a match-fixing scandal involving Ukrainian first division club Metalist Kharkiv.

Metalist, who are also managed by Markevich, were found guilty this week of rigging the result of a game which they won 4-0 against Karpaty Lviv in 2008.

Both clubs were found guilty of match-fixing by the Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU) and handed 25,000-dollar fines and docked nine points in this season’s championship.

As a result, Metalist Kharkiv have just one point, while Karpaty Lviv are minus one point after six matches.

This proved too much for Markevich, who declared: “I have to inform Ukrainian football fans that I step down from the national head coach’s post.

“FFU chiefs completely discredited themselves with their recent decision to penalise Metalist. I have no moral right to continue working in the organisation, which purposely destroys football in Kharkiv.”

The 59-year-old added: “I was and still remain the head coach of Metalist. I cannot betray my native club.”

Markevich steps from the national side down four months after succeeding Alexei Mikhailichenko, who was let go after failing to qualify Ukraine, who are co-hosting Euro 2012 with Poland, for the World Cup finals.