A government agency responsible for the Ukrainian national teams illegally bought medication for the national team as part of an embezzlement scheme, the country’s security service SSU has found. The medication purchased was not genuine, and was given to athletes despite not being certified by the Ukrainian National Anti-Doping Centre (NADC), found the SSU.

The State institution for the Management of Teams and Sporting Events (Ukrsportzabezpechennya, or УКРСПОРТЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ) organised an illegal scheme to appropriate UAH8 million (€290,000) of State budget funds, found the SSU. It also found that part of this was used to buy medication from a private entity. 

‘It was established, that the products procured have nothing to do with medication’, read a statement. ‘In addition, some of the so-called medicines, which were given to athletes, did not pass certification from the National Anti-Doping Centre. Such actions of the officials resulted in a budget loss of over UAH8 million for the Ukraine and jeopardised the inclusion of national teams in international sports competition due to absence of doping-control certificates.’ 

The SSU said that the Ukrsportzabezpechennya operated under the guidance of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and its Chief Doctor has been served with a notice of charge. ‘In order to establish all persons involved in the illegal scheme and bring them to criminal responsibility, investigative actions are underway’, continued the SBU statement.

In July, the SBU announced that the Senior Coach of the national team of underwater sports, who is employed by Ukrsportzabezpechennya, had demanded UAH20,000 (€717) from a school coach. The SBU found that the bribe was to ensure the participation of the school’s pupils in the European Snorkelling Championships.