VORONEZH, Jan 24 (SW) – Former Russian women’s top team Energiya Vornezh can not take their promotion spot in the Russian women’s premier league due to financial reasons.

The team from Voronezh which in 2004 played in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup, relegated last year due to financial reasons. In 2005 they won Pervaya Liga (second level), but now they can’t meet the demands of the premier league.

The Russian Women’s Football Association conference in Moscow announced that the Russian championship in the Premier League will start on April 15th 2006. 7 teams confirmed their patripication so far: Rossiyanka (Moscow Region), Lada (Togliatti), Ryazan-VDV, Spartak (Moscow), Chertanovo (Moscow), Aurora (Saint Petersburg). Aurora was number three in the Pervaya Liga in 2005. Still missing are number three and six of last year: Nadezhda (Noginsk) and Prialit (Moscow). It’s unknown yet if they will play 2006’s premier league.