‘2030 World Cup Bid’ Ukraine Football Association President Arrested on Money Laundering Charges

Alleged Embezzlement of 950 Million Won... Bail Set at 300 Million Won
Ukraine Applies to Co-Host 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal

Andriy Pavelko, President of the Ukrainian Football Association, arrested on charges of money laundering and fraud. Photo by EPA·Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukraine Football Association, and another executive were arrested on charges including money laundering and fraud related to the construction of an artificial turf production factory, the UK Guardian reported on the 29th (local time). Pavelko and the other executive are accused of embezzling 26.5 million hryvnias (approximately 950 million KRW).

The Ukrainian prosecution reportedly arrested them after a four-year investigation into allegations that the Ukraine Football Association overpaid the UAE company SDT, which cooperated in the construction of the artificial turf production factory.

The court ordered their detention until January 22 of next year for further investigation and set bail at about 300 million KRW on the condition that they do not leave the capital Kyiv or contact witnesses.

The lawyer for the Ukraine Football Association stated in a media interview, "It is true that we overpaid SDT, but the full amount has already been recovered," adding, "Because the money was paid to overseas creditors through a third party, it does not appear in the accounting records."

Currently, Ukraine, along with Spain and Portugal, is pursuing a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with the support of UEFA. The Guardian reported that since Pavelko has been leading this effort, his arrest could jeopardize the joint bid.

Andriy Pavelko has led the Ukraine Football Association since 2015 and also worked for two years on FIFA's Disciplinary Committee.

Meanwhile, the competition to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking the 100th anniversary of the tournament's founding, is fierce. In addition to Ukraine, Spain, and Portugal, four South American countries?Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile?have also proposed a joint hosting. The host will be decided at the 2024 FIFA Congress.