Russian football teams remain banned from UEFA competitions amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Russia will not host the UEFA Super Cup this year, and while the RFU seeks dialogue with UEFA for reinstatement, no working group has been formed for this purpose. Discussions to include Russian athletes in upcoming competitions are ongoing, highlighting a complex interplay between sports governance and geopolitical issues.
Russian football teams will continue to be prohibited from participating in UEFA competitions, as the conflict in Ukraine persists. Additionally, Russia will not host the UEFA Super Cup later this year, which had been scheduled in Kazan. Reports by The Athletic indicate that Russian Football Union (RFU) officials met with UEFA representatives in Nyon, Switzerland, but contrary to some media claims, no working group was created to facilitate Russia’s return to competition.
The RFU confirmed that their discussions focused on a variety of cooperation issues, particularly the desire for Russian teams to re-enter international competitions. They emphasized a commitment to ongoing dialogue, planning to reconvene in February to explore further options. However, any decision by UEFA to reinstate Russia would require cooperation with other sports organizations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IOC is already considering the inclusion of individual Russian and Belarussian athletes in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, akin to their participation as neutral athletes in previous games due to the Russian Olympic Committee’s sanction in 2019. Despite being excluded from the recent European Championship qualifiers, the RFU has expressed a continued interest in returning to UEFA’s competitive arena amidst the ongoing war.
In December, RFU President Alexander Dyukov stated, “We are considering the option of returning to UEFA competitions as soon as possible. It is important for us to take part in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.” Additionally, there were discussions about potentially leaving UEFA to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), but this proposal faced significant opposition among stakeholders.
In summary, Russian football teams remain barred from UEFA competitions due to the war in Ukraine. While the RFU seeks reinstatement and discussions continue, UEFA’s decision will require broader consensus with other sports organizations. The RFU’s commitment to returning to international play is clear, yet any advancements will depend on the conflict’s resolution and cooperation with various stakeholders in the sports community.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
