On 1 July 2018, the AAFU published information about the upcoming season with a tentative composition which was finalized on 15 July 2019.[2]
Summary
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the spring half was suspended to summer. On 7 June 2020, there took place the AAFU conference which among other issues also discussed reorganization of the organization.[3] A couple months before that on 31 March 2020 in car accident died the president of AAFU Fedir Shpyh.[4]
On 17 June 2020, there appeared information that it is the final day for clubs to confirm their participation in continuation of the AAFU competitions, which could be resumed on 27 June 2020.[5]
On 22 June 2020, there appeared information about that the season will be resumed on 27 June 2020 and finished with some changes to the regulations.[6][7] Due to extensive pause in the competition, at least 10 teams withdrew.[6]
On 2 March 2020 during midseason winter recession, it became known that FC Chernihiv is merging with FC Avanhard Koryukivka in order to participate next season in the Second League.[11] The united team would be finishing the second half of the 2019–20 season in amateurs.[11] The AAFU allowed the merged club to keep its second team without purging it.[12]
On 1 March 2020 FC Trostianets-2 change its name to FC Trostianets.[12]
On 19 June 2020 FC Rubikon-Vyshneve Kyiv change its name to FC Rubikon Kyiv.[12]
On 19 June 2020 FC Chernihiv change its name to FC Chernihiv-YuSB.[12]
On 19 June 2020 FC Avanhard Koriukivka change its name to FC Chernihiv-Avanhard Koriukivka.[12]
On 8 August 2019 the Ukrainian Association of Football announced that Peremoha was stripped of 9 tournament points in the 2019–20 season.[15] However, the AAFU official standing did not reflect that fact and no mentioning about the decision either.
The game between Dnipro-1-Borysfen and Motor on 28 September 2019 did not take place, possible due to fact that a team of medics did not arrive to the game.[16] Later the standings were adjusted where it was reflected that Motor received technical victory (3:0) and Dnipro technical loss (0:3).
During the weekend October 5–6, 2019 two more scheduled games failed to take place Vovchansk – Peremoha (5 October) and Motor – Zirka (6 October). Both games were granted on 7 October 2019 technical scores by AAFU with wins awarded to hosting teams in both games.[17]
Please, note that sum of wins in the table is lower than sum of losses because in games between withdrawn clubs that did not take place both received loss.
Second stage
Following ease of quarantine restrictions, on 22 June 2020 it was announced that the competition will be resumed on 27 June 2020.[6] It was decided to finish the first stage of competition consisting of three groups as planned, however for the second stage it was decided to replace play-off format with another group stage final mini-tournament consisting of two groups of 4 each and taking place in one place.[6] The second stage is expected to take place in early August and will also include the final game.[7] On 28 July 2020 the AAFU approved the format for the final (second) stage which would be as a single-elimination tournament with a single leg.[18] The first games are expected to take place on 9 August 2020 with the draw for semifinals taking place the next day on 10 August.[18] The final game will take place at the Viktor Bannikov Educational and Training Field in Kyiv.[18]
On 6 August 2020 it was announced that the new season is expected to start on 29 August 2020, while registration to participate in competitions on 10 August 2020.[19] The Ukrainian Amateur Cup is being planned to start on September 9–16, 2020.[19]
Teams qualified
In parentheses are indicated number of times the club qualified for this phase.
Group 1: ODEK Orzhiv (3), Epitsentr Dunayivtsi
Group 2: Viktoriya Mykolaivka (3), LNZ-Lebedyn (2), Chernihiv-Avanhard
Group 3: Tavriya Novotroitske (2), FC Vovchansk, Motor Zaporizhia (2)
Stadium: Metalist training base Referee: Andriy Zaitsev (Sloviansk)
Notes: Vovchansk received home turf advantage earning 42 points in 18 games, while Epitsentr 39 points in 18 games (see the group stage standings above and the 2019–20 AAFU playoffs format).
Semifinals
The semifinal pairs will be drawn on 10 August 2020, participants of which are planned to meet on 13 August 2020.[18]
In a preliminary list, there were 10 contenders for promotion to the Professional Football League competitions (announced on 12 November 2019): Zirka Kropyvnytskyi, Yarud Mariupol, Peremoha Dnipro, Trostianets-2, Dnipro Cherkasy, Rubikon Vyshneve, ODEK Orzhiv, Epitsentr Dunayivtsi, Munkach Mukacheve, Kovel-Volyn.[20]
On 5 August 2020, there became publicized a list of ten main contenders to be promoted to the Second League, Dnipro Cherkasy, Yarud Mariupol, Chernihiv-Avanhard, FC Trostianets, FC Bila Tserkva, Peremoha Dnipro, Epitsentr Dunayivtsi, Rubikon Kyiv, Karpaty Halych, Metall Kharkiv.[22]
