The former president of the public organization "Federation of Field Hockey of Ukraine," whose actions have called into question the existence of the National Team of Ukraine on the international sports stage, has been notified of suspicion of embezzlement of funds (part 4 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The National Team of Ukraine in field hockey (women) was preparing to participate in the qualifying tournament for the European Championship, which was to take place in Vilnius (Lithuania). The National Olympic Committee and the head coach of the team transferred the entire necessary amount to the suspect for the payment of the mandatory entry fee to the European Field Hockey Federation for our team's participation in international competitions and other expenses related to the organization of the sporting event.

However, the president, disregarding the interests of the team, embezzled the entire amount transferred to him – nearly 725 thousand UAH and subsequently spent it for his own needs.

As a result, the National Team of Ukraine in field hockey (women), the majority of which consists of athletes from Sumy, has been suspended from all international competitions.

The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators of the Sumy District Police Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Sumy region in cooperation with the Strategic Investigations Department in the Sumy region, under the procedural guidance of prosecutors from the Sumy District Prosecutor's Office.

Note: according to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is considered innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in a lawful manner and established by a guilty verdict of the court.