The 2009–10 Ukrainian First League was the nineteenth since its establishment. There were 18 teams competing. Two teams were relegated from the 2008–09 Ukrainian Premier League. Three teams were promoted from the 2008–09 Ukrainian Second League. Due to the 2009 flu pandemic which affected Ukraine in late October the PFL decide to break for winter earlier than they originally scheduled. The second half of the season began March 11, 2010.[1]
Teams
Promoted teams
These three teams were promoted from Druha Liha at the start of the season:
Group A
Nyva Ternopil – Druha Liha champion (Returning after seven seasons)
Location of teams in Ukrainian First League 2009–10
Playoff game
Prior to the beginning of the season FC Ihroservice Simferopol failed to pay their license dues for the season. To allow an extra team to be promoted, the PFL determined that a playoff game between the 2nd placed teams from Druha Liha –
Arsenal Bila Tserkva and FC Poltava would determine the vacancy. This playoff game was played July 12, 2009.[2]
Source: Professional Football League of Ukraine[8] Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scored; 4th fair play[9] (C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Desna Chernihiv completed the season but failed attestation for the 2010-11 season and their licence was removed. (June 21st, 2010)[3]
^Zirka Kirovohrad deducted 3 points for failure of payment to contracted players. (January 28th, 2010)[4]
^FC Kharkiv were relegated to the Second League. After the season completed the club failed attestation and their license was withdrawn by the respective committee of the Football Federation of Ukraine for providing false information of the club's affairs.(June 23rd, 2010)[5]
^Nyva Ternopil initially deducted 3 points for failure of payment of license fees. (October 2nd, 2009)[6] Another 3 points were for non payment to players. (June 9th, 2010)[7]
Updated to match(es) played on June 10, 2010. Source: PFL Persha Liha Calendar Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
^Seven matches from Round 17 were postponed due to the 2009 flu pandemic which affected Ukraine in late October.[10]
^In this game in FC Kharkiv was represented by the youth squad of FC Arsenal Kharkiv, U-17.[11]
^Round 33 match between FC Kharkiv and Enerhetyk Burshtyn did not take place due to FC Kharkiv's players boycotting the game due to not payment of wages and no contracts for next season.[12] PFL awards a 3–0 technical victory to Enerhetyk Burshtyn.[7]
^Match on March 14 FC Lviv – PFC Sevastopol was not played due to the condition of the pitch.[13] The Disciplinary Committee of the PFL awarded a 3–0 technical victory to PFC Sevastopol.[14](21 April 2010) However, with PFC Sevastapol's agreement the league decided to play the fixture on 2 June 2010.[15]
^Round 33 match between Stal Alchevsk and Desna Chernihiv did not take place due to Desna not arriving to play. PFL awards a 3–0 technical victory to Stal Alchevsk.[7]
^Arsenal-Spartak Stadium (home ground of FC Arsenal Kharkiv) is an all weather stadium with artificial turf.[35]
^Weather conditions in March forced the PFL to reschedule home games for Arsenal and Desna to Dynamo Training Center which has an artificial pitch. On March 24, three games from Round 19 were played at the complex in one day, including a home game for Dynamo-2.[36]
^Youth Football Academy Sport Club Metalist Stadium is a sporting complex that has an artificial turf pitch.[35]