The Russian Football Union (RFU) intends to return to international football despite recent Uefa bans due to geopolitical tensions. The RFU is seeking to resume ties with Uefa for World Cup qualifiers while keeping open the option to join the Asian Football Confederation later. Financial implications of such a switch are a concern for Russian clubs.
On Friday, the Russian Football Union (RFU) announced its aim to return to international football competition. This decision comes amidst discussions about potentially leaving Uefa to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), following Uefa’s ban on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine. RFU President Alexander Dyukov emphasized the importance of participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and revealed plans to engage in talks with Uefa for reinstatement.
Dyukov highlighted that while an immediate switch to the AFC was not favored, the option is still open for the future. The RFU is establishing a consultative group to negotiate with Uefa, which might lead to the resumption of participation in European tournaments. Currently, Russia remains excluded from the Euro 2024 qualifiers and has faced multiple bans from international competitions, including Fifa, which barred it from the 2022 World Cup.
CSKA Moscow President Yevgeny Giner raised concerns regarding the implications of moving to the AFC. He noted the significant financial disparity and the challenges of starting afresh in Asian leagues, suggesting that a return to European competitions might be more advantageous. The Swiss Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected Russia’s appeals against both Uefa and Fifa’s decisions, leaving the RFU searching for a viable route back to international football.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
