The Russian Football Union decided against leaving UEFA for the Asian Football Confederation, planning to focus on reestablishing ties with UEFA to allow its teams to participate in international competitions. With bans from FIFA and UEFA, clubs face financial risks, highlighted by CSKA Moscow’s president. Meanwhile, football injuries and transfer spending trends dominate recent headlines in the sport.
The Russian Football Union (RFU) expressed its intention to keep football teams within UEFA rather than pursuing membership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Following a board meeting on December 30, 2022, RFU President Alexander Dyukov stated the goal of returning to international competitions, particularly aiming for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
To facilitate this objective, the RFU proposed forming a group to engage in discussions with UEFA to restore their relationship. Dyukov did not rule out joining the AFC in the future but emphasized the current focus on UEFA ties.
As a result of UEFA’s ban due to geopolitical tensions arising from Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, the country will miss Euro 2024 qualifying matches and has been barred from international competitions, including FIFA events. Appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn these bans have also been rejected.
A potential switch to the AFC could lead to significant financial implications for Russian clubs, notably those with a history in European competitions like the Champions League. CSKA Moscow’s president, Yevgeny Giner, warned about the disparity in financial benefits and competitive status within Asian leagues, highlighting the risk of starting from scratch. He suggested waiting to restore connections with European football before making any drastic decisions.
Recent football headlines indicate increasing injury challenges for top clubs, including Real Madrid. Injuries have altered the anticipated clashes and competitiveness in the UEFA Champions League, influencing strategic planning and performance in the league. Furthermore, clubs collectively spent a record $2.35 billion on international transfers during the January transfer window, indicating the highly competitive and lucrative nature of football on a global scale.
Original Source: www.thescore.com
