Football Federation of the Soviet Union
Encyclopedia
The Football Federation of USSR was a governing body of football
in the Soviet Union
and since 1972 the main governing body of football in the country. The Federation was created late in 1934 by the decision of the All-Union Council of Physical Culture (VSFK) the Football Section of USSR as a public organization governing specifically football. It was the only organization that obtained recognition of FIFA.
all its former affiliations abroad were discontinued. Football life in the country however has not stopped. In July 1920 there took place the first championship of the Russian SFSR that was won by the collective city team of Moscow
. In September of 1923 took place the first championship of the Soviet Union which was won also by team of Moscow. In August 1928 took place the All-Union Spartakiad
which included a football tournament.
On May 27, 1934 was established an achievement award the "Distinguished Master of Sports" which was passed to eight footballers that same year.
On December 27, 1934 the All-Union Council of Physical Culture (VSFK) of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union
(TsIK USSR) established a special public organization the Football Section of USSR in charge of football events in the country. However along with the Football Section also existed the Football Directorate of the Soviet Sports Committee subordinated directly to the Soviet government.
First Memorable exhibition games
On August 30, 1935 the national team of the Ukrainian SSR
beat Red Star Olympique (from France) 6:1. Goals were scored by Shylovsky (3), Parovyshnikov (2), Shchehodsky. Team roster of UkrSSR (2-3-5): Ya.Trusevych - K.Fomin (captain), D.Kirillov - M.Fomin, V.Fomin, V.Hreber - M.Makhynya, P.Parovyshnikov, K.Shchehodsky, P.Laiko, V.Shylovsky. Next month a collective team of Prague visited the Soviet Union playing against team of Leningrad, Moscow, and UkrSSR. In January 1936 the Moscow team consisting of players from Dynamo Moscow
and Spartak Moscow
visited Racing Paris to which they lost 1:2. A single goal for the Soviets was scored by Yakushyn. Team roster of Moscow (2-3-5): A.Akimov - Al.Starostin (captain), L.Korchebokov - A.Ryomin, And.Starostin, S.Leuta - A.Lapshyn (V.Stepanov, 46), M.Yakushyn
, V.Smirnov, V.Pavlov (M.Velichkin, 86), S.Ilyin all coached by M.Kvashnin and N.Starostin
.
In 1936 the Section of Football of USSR established the Soviet Top League
as a championship among teams of Volunteer Sports Sovcieties (DSO) and agencies introducing four hierarchal groups (leagues) of eight teams.
On July 22, 1937 for the first time TsIK USSR given awards to 38 best Soviet sportsmen among which were 12 football players. The first recipient of Order of Lenin
among football players became Nikolai Starostin
. The Order of the Red Banner of Labour
received Alexander Starostin and Sergei Ilyin, other nine players received Order of the Badge of Honor
.
During the World War II
(1941-1944) the main football events were suspended, however there were several regional competitions. When the Soviet Union was liberated from the occupation of Nazi Germany
in August 1944 took place next national cup competition as the first post-war official football event.
In July 1946 the Football Section of USSR was excepted to FIFA
on the proposition of delegates from Yugoslavia
and Czechoslovakia
and on September 27, 1947 USSR was awarded a permanent seat of the vice-president of FIFA which was taken by Valentin Granatkin. Being accepted to FIFA the main football national team of the Soviet Union however did not compete at the FIFA World Cup
until 1958. The first coach appointed was Boris Arkadiev who in 1952 led the team to the Olympic games in Helsinki
. He later along with several other football specialist was accused of sabotaging team that was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
In January 1957 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of USSR awarded Order of Lenin
to Vsevolod Bobrov
and Lev Yashin
to commemorate their achievements in sport.
In May 1959 the Football Section of USSR was reorganized as the Football Federation of USSR.
In 1960 the national team of the Soviet Union won the first continental championship beating the national team of Yugoslavia
2:1 in overtime.
In 1963 Lev Yashin became first Soviet player who was recognized as the best European footballer.
For the first time in 1965-66 season the Soviet football clubs debuted in the European international football competitions.
In 1972 the Football Federation of USSR became a government agency of State Committee of Sports (Goskomsport), however due to the fact that Granatkin continued to chair the Football Federation that reorganization did not drew much attention from FIFA.
Dynamo Kyiv became the first Soviet club to win a European club trophy, when they defeated Ferencvaros 3–0 in the 1975 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
.
In 1988 Lev Yashin received the golden order of FIFA "For service" and in March of 1990 was recognized as the Hero of Socialist Labour. Next month the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of USSR awarded the Hero of Socialist Labour to Nikolai Starostin
as well.
On February 8, 1992 the federation recognized as the parent association of the newly established Russian Football Union (RFS). In July of the same year the Executive Committee of FIFA confirmed the succession of the Soviet federation as the Russian Football Union and readmitted it under the new name and statute.
Chairmen of Football Section of USSR (December 27, 1934 - May 6, 1959)
Chairmen of Football Directorate of Soviet Sports Committee (December 27, 1934 - 1972)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and since 1972 the main governing body of football in the country. The Federation was created late in 1934 by the decision of the All-Union Council of Physical Culture (VSFK) the Football Section of USSR as a public organization governing specifically football. It was the only organization that obtained recognition of FIFA.
History
After the establishment of the Soviet regime in the former Russian EmpireRussian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
all its former affiliations abroad were discontinued. Football life in the country however has not stopped. In July 1920 there took place the first championship of the Russian SFSR that was won by the collective city team of Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. In September of 1923 took place the first championship of the Soviet Union which was won also by team of Moscow. In August 1928 took place the All-Union Spartakiad
Spartakiad
Spartakiad initially was the name of an international sports event that the Soviet Union attempted to use to both oppose and supplement the Olympics...
which included a football tournament.
On May 27, 1934 was established an achievement award the "Distinguished Master of Sports" which was passed to eight footballers that same year.
On December 27, 1934 the All-Union Council of Physical Culture (VSFK) of the Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union
Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union
The Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union was the highest governing body in the Soviet Union in the interim of the sessions of the Congress of Soviets, existed from 1922 until 1938, when it was replaced by the Supreme Soviet of first convocation....
(TsIK USSR) established a special public organization the Football Section of USSR in charge of football events in the country. However along with the Football Section also existed the Football Directorate of the Soviet Sports Committee subordinated directly to the Soviet government.
First Memorable exhibition games
On August 30, 1935 the national team of the Ukrainian SSR
Ukrainian SSR
The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic or in short, the Ukrainian SSR was a sovereign Soviet Socialist state and one of the fifteen constituent republics of the Soviet Union lasting from its inception in 1922 to the breakup in 1991...
beat Red Star Olympique (from France) 6:1. Goals were scored by Shylovsky (3), Parovyshnikov (2), Shchehodsky. Team roster of UkrSSR (2-3-5): Ya.Trusevych - K.Fomin (captain), D.Kirillov - M.Fomin, V.Fomin, V.Hreber - M.Makhynya, P.Parovyshnikov, K.Shchehodsky, P.Laiko, V.Shylovsky. Next month a collective team of Prague visited the Soviet Union playing against team of Leningrad, Moscow, and UkrSSR. In January 1936 the Moscow team consisting of players from Dynamo Moscow
FC Dynamo Moscow
Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white...
and Spartak Moscow
Spartak Moscow
Spartak Moscow may refer to the following teams based in Moscow, Russia:* FC Spartak Moscow, an association football club* HC Spartak Moscow, a professional ice hockey team* WBC Spartak Moscow, a women's basketball team...
visited Racing Paris to which they lost 1:2. A single goal for the Soviets was scored by Yakushyn. Team roster of Moscow (2-3-5): A.Akimov - Al.Starostin (captain), L.Korchebokov - A.Ryomin, And.Starostin, S.Leuta - A.Lapshyn (V.Stepanov, 46), M.Yakushyn
Mikhail Yakushin
Mikhail Iosifovich Yakushin was a Russian football player and manager....
, V.Smirnov, V.Pavlov (M.Velichkin, 86), S.Ilyin all coached by M.Kvashnin and N.Starostin
Nikolai Starostin
Nikolai Petrovich Starostin was a Russian footballer and ice hockey player, and founder of Spartak Moscow.-Early life and Spartak Moscow:...
.
In 1936 the Section of Football of USSR established the Soviet Top League
Soviet Top League
The Soviet Top League since 1970 was officially known as the Supreme League serving as the top division of Soviet Union football since 1936.It was one of the best football leagues in Europe ranking second among the UEFA members in 1988-1989 seasons...
as a championship among teams of Volunteer Sports Sovcieties (DSO) and agencies introducing four hierarchal groups (leagues) of eight teams.
On July 22, 1937 for the first time TsIK USSR given awards to 38 best Soviet sportsmen among which were 12 football players. The first recipient of Order of Lenin
Order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
among football players became Nikolai Starostin
Nikolai Starostin
Nikolai Petrovich Starostin was a Russian footballer and ice hockey player, and founder of Spartak Moscow.-Early life and Spartak Moscow:...
. The Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Order of the Red Banner of Labour
The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union for accomplishments in labour and civil service. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order.-History:The Red...
received Alexander Starostin and Sergei Ilyin, other nine players received Order of the Badge of Honor
Order of the Badge of Honor
The Order of the Badge of Honour was a civilian award of the Soviet Union.It was instituted on 25 November 1935 and conferred on citizens of the USSR for outstanding achievements in production, scientific research and social, cultural and other forms of social activity, for promotion of economic,...
.
During the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(1941-1944) the main football events were suspended, however there were several regional competitions. When the Soviet Union was liberated from the occupation of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
in August 1944 took place next national cup competition as the first post-war official football event.
In July 1946 the Football Section of USSR was excepted to FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
on the proposition of delegates from Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
and on September 27, 1947 USSR was awarded a permanent seat of the vice-president of FIFA which was taken by Valentin Granatkin. Being accepted to FIFA the main football national team of the Soviet Union however did not compete at the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
until 1958. The first coach appointed was Boris Arkadiev who in 1952 led the team to the Olympic games in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. He later along with several other football specialist was accused of sabotaging team that was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
In January 1957 the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of USSR awarded Order of Lenin
Order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
to Vsevolod Bobrov
Vsevolod Bobrov
Vsevolod Mikhailovich Bobrov was a Soviet athlete, who excelled in both football , bandy, and ice hockey. He is considered one of the best Russians ever in all of those sports.- Biography :...
and Lev Yashin
Lev Yashin
Lev Ivanovich Yashin nicknamed as "The Black Spider", was a Soviet-Russian football goalkeeper, considered by many to be the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game. He was known for his superior athleticism in goal, imposing stature, amazing reflex saves and inventing the idea of...
to commemorate their achievements in sport.
In May 1959 the Football Section of USSR was reorganized as the Football Federation of USSR.
In 1960 the national team of the Soviet Union won the first continental championship beating the national team of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
2:1 in overtime.
In 1963 Lev Yashin became first Soviet player who was recognized as the best European footballer.
For the first time in 1965-66 season the Soviet football clubs debuted in the European international football competitions.
In 1972 the Football Federation of USSR became a government agency of State Committee of Sports (Goskomsport), however due to the fact that Granatkin continued to chair the Football Federation that reorganization did not drew much attention from FIFA.
Dynamo Kyiv became the first Soviet club to win a European club trophy, when they defeated Ferencvaros 3–0 in the 1975 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
1975 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
The 1975 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match contested between FC Dynamo Kyiv of the Soviet Union and Ferencvárosi TC of Hungary. It was the final match of the European Cup Winners' Cup 1974–75 and the 15th European Cup Winners' Cup Final. The final was held at St. Jakob Stadium in...
.
In 1988 Lev Yashin received the golden order of FIFA "For service" and in March of 1990 was recognized as the Hero of Socialist Labour. Next month the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of USSR awarded the Hero of Socialist Labour to Nikolai Starostin
Nikolai Starostin
Nikolai Petrovich Starostin was a Russian footballer and ice hockey player, and founder of Spartak Moscow.-Early life and Spartak Moscow:...
as well.
On February 8, 1992 the federation recognized as the parent association of the newly established Russian Football Union (RFS). In July of the same year the Executive Committee of FIFA confirmed the succession of the Soviet federation as the Russian Football Union and readmitted it under the new name and statute.
Chairmen
- Vyacheslav KoloskovVyacheslav KoloskovVyacheslav Ivanovich Koloskov was a famous Russian and Soviet sport functionary, vice-president of FIFA .He was a football player but without remarkable achievements. He was a Head of football and hockey Union....
(January 1990 - 1991) - L.Lebedev (May 1989 - January 1990)
- B.Topornin (December 1980 - May 1989)
- B.Fedosov (March 1973 - December 1980)
- Valentin Granatkin (June 1968 - March 1973)
- L.Nikonov (January 1968 - June 1968)
- V.Moshkarkin (July 1967 - January 1968)
- N.Riashentsev (January 1964 - July 1967)
- Valentin Granatkin (May 6, 1959 - January 1964)
Chairmen of Football Section of USSR (December 27, 1934 - May 6, 1959)
- Valentin Granatkin (1950 - May 6, 1959)
- Mikhail Kozlov (1937 - ?)
- Aleksei Sokolov (December 27, 1934 - 1937)
Chairmen of Football Directorate of Soviet Sports Committee (December 27, 1934 - 1972)
- Valentin Antipyonok (? - ?)
- Alexander Starostin (1956 - 1958)
- Alexander Starostin (1937 - 1941)
The first team coaches
- Boris Arkadiev 1952 Olympics (qualifying and final tournaments)
- Gavriil KachalinGavriil KachalinGavriil Dmitriyevich Kachalin was a Soviet/Russian football player and coach....
1956 Olympics (qualifying and final tournaments), 1958 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments), 1960 European Championship (qualifying and final tournaments), 1962 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments) - Nikita Simonyan (acting)
- Konstantin BeskovKonstantin BeskovKonstantin Ivanovich Beskov was a Soviet/Russian football player and manager.Beskov was born in Moscow. He played for Dynamo Moscow as forward, scoring 126 goals, and after finishing his playing career he became a successful manager who coached Dynamo and their rivals Spartak as well as the USSR...
1964 European championship (qualifying and final tournaments) - Nikolai MorozovNikolai Petrovich MorozovNikolai Petrovich Morozov was a Russian football coach, who led the USSR national football team to a fourth place finish in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.-References:...
1966 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments) - Mikhail YakushinMikhail YakushinMikhail Iosifovich Yakushin was a Russian football player and manager....
1968 European championship (qualifying and final tournaments) - Gavriil KachalinGavriil KachalinGavriil Dmitriyevich Kachalin was a Soviet/Russian football player and coach....
1970 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments) - Valentin NikolayevValentin Nikolayev (footballer)Valentin Aleksandrovich Nikolayev was a Soviet football player and coach.-Honours:* Soviet Top League winner: 1946, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1970 ....
1972 European championship (qualifying tournament) - Aleksandr PonomarevAleksandr PonomarevAleksandr Ponomarev was a Soviet Ukrainian football player and manager.*Won the Soviet Cup in 1949 with Torpedo Moscow....
1972 European championship (final tournament), 1972 Olympics (final tournament) - Yevgeniy Goryansky 1974 World Cup (qualifying tournament, failed to qualify)
- Konstantin BeskovKonstantin BeskovKonstantin Ivanovich Beskov was a Soviet/Russian football player and manager.Beskov was born in Moscow. He played for Dynamo Moscow as forward, scoring 126 goals, and after finishing his playing career he became a successful manager who coached Dynamo and their rivals Spartak as well as the USSR...
(replaced by Valeriy Lobanovsky) 1976 European championship (qualifying tournament, failed to qualify), 1976 Olympics (final tournament) - Nikita Simonyan (replaced by Konstantin BeskovKonstantin BeskovKonstantin Ivanovich Beskov was a Soviet/Russian football player and manager.Beskov was born in Moscow. He played for Dynamo Moscow as forward, scoring 126 goals, and after finishing his playing career he became a successful manager who coached Dynamo and their rivals Spartak as well as the USSR...
) 1978 World Cup (qualifying tournament, failed to qualify) 1980 European Championship (qualifying tournament, failed to qualify) - Konstantin BeskovKonstantin BeskovKonstantin Ivanovich Beskov was a Soviet/Russian football player and manager.Beskov was born in Moscow. He played for Dynamo Moscow as forward, scoring 126 goals, and after finishing his playing career he became a successful manager who coached Dynamo and their rivals Spartak as well as the USSR...
1982 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments) - Valeriy Lobanovsky 1984 European championship (qualifying tournament, failed to qualify)
- Eduard Malofeyev 1986 World Cup (qualifying tournament)
- Valeriy Lobanovsky 1986 World Cup (final tournament), 1988 European championship (qualifying and final tournaments), 1990 World Cup (qualifying and final tournaments)
- Anatoliy Byshovets 1992 European championship (qualifying and final tournaments)