A new scandal is brewing in the Ukrainian football space, linked to transfer policy and ethical conduct. Alexander Hatskevych, the vice-president of Zhytomyr FC Polissya, gave an open interview in which he detailed the circumstances of the parting with one of the team's key players — Alexey Guculyak. The official did not hold back in his expressions, accusing the midfielder of disrespect towards the club and its president, Hennadiy Butkevych.

Financial deadlock and disciplinary violations

According to Alexander Hatskevych, the situation regarding the contract extension with Guculyak reached a deadlock due to the footballer's inadequate demands. The club, which possessed the legal right to automatically extend the agreement, was ready to offer the player improved financial terms. However, in the opinion of the Polissya management, the winger's requests were "sky-high" and did not correspond to his actual level of play.

Aside from financial disagreements, the interview featured serious accusations against the player regarding disciplinary breaches. Hatskevych stated that Guculyak did not return after his vacation and did not work out his contract to the end. "There were moments related to the footballer violating the terms of the contract. He did not return after vacation and did not complete his contract," the vice-president emphasized. This calls into question the professional ethics of the footballer, who left the club as a free agent.

Ethical aspect: lack of gratitude

The most painful moment for the management of the Zhytomyr club was not so much the financial side of the issue, but the ethical one. Alexander Hatskevych reminded that it was in Polissya that Alexey Guculyak was able to reach the peak of his form and receive a call-up to the Ukraine national team. The club invested in the player, who transferred from Dnipro-1 in the summer of 2024 for 600,000 euros.

"What disappoints most is that the person did not bother to come, shake hands, and thank the president. In football, a career lasts for years, but human decency and respect must remain forever," Hatskevych concluded. The absence of an elementary gesture of gratitude from the footballer, who owes his current success to the club, became a reason for harsh criticism from the management.

Legal side of the conflict

Despite having solid grounds for legal proceedings, the Polissya management decided not to resort to legal measures. The vice-president noted that the club had all the rights to sue the player in the relevant football bodies due to the breach of contract terms. However, the final decision was made personally by the club president, Hennadiy Butkevych, who decided not to give the case legal momentum. This decision was likely dictated by the desire to preserve the club's reputation and avoid protracted proceedings, although it leaves the question of justice open.

Career conclusions in Zhytomyr

In two years with the "wolves," Alexey Guculyak played 65 matches in all tournaments, scoring 21 goals and providing 11 assists. His statistics indicate that he was one of the team leaders. However, despite successful performances, the parting with the club took place in an extremely tense atmosphere. Guculyak left Polissya in early July 2026 as a free agent, which provoked a sharp reaction from the club management.