The Kryvbas football club reported an incident with goalkeeper Igor Omelchenko, who left the team's location during a training camp in Slovenia and refused to return to Ukraine.
The club's statement, published on Facebook, notes that the athlete did not return home with the other members of the delegation. After contact was established with him, Omelchenko directly stated that he did not intend to continue playing for the team.
“ FC Kryvbas informed the UPL about the situation that has developed. The football player has a valid agreement with our Club for another year. We call on Igor Omelchenko to return to fulfilling his contractual obligations ,” the message says.
The club's management stated that it is already communicating with the relevant authorities to resolve the situation and return the player.
Not an isolated case
This is not the first incident of Ukrainian athletes staying abroad after competitions or training camps. In early 2025, 25-year-old karateka from Chernivtsi, Yevhen Pylypiuk, did not return after international competitions, explaining that he was unable to obtain a deferment from mobilization.
Earlier, it was reported that one of the coaches of Odessa's "Chornomorets" team during a training camp in Turkey - according to media reports, he left for the United States.
According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in June 2023 alone, 225 cases were recorded when athletes did not return to Ukraine within the established period after completing foreign events.
