Shakhtar Donetsk wins Ukrainian Premier League

Shakhtar Donetsk won the Ukrainian Premier League title Sunday as its home city is holding a referendum on secession.

Shakhtar secured its fifth straight title with a 3-1 win over Zorya Luhansk in a game played in an empty stadium at a neutral venue in Cherkasy, central Ukraine, amid widespread unrest in the east.

Shakhtar’s home city of Donetsk is the center of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, where pro-Russian activists are hosting a vote Sunday that may lead to the region joining Russia.

There have been violent clashes in the city in recent weeks between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian demonstrators.