UEFA has provided an update on Russia’s ongoing exclusion from football contests.
UEFA has published a statement regarding the potential of overturning Russia’s ban from European football.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, UEFA and FIFA banned Russian national teams and clubs from all tournaments. Russia filed six appeals against the verdict, but each was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
In September 2022, UEFA announced that Russia will be prevented from qualifying for Euro 2024. Furthermore, the country will be barred from competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup because it is unable to participate in the qualifying rounds.
It will be Russia’s second consecutive World Cup absence, following their removal from the 2022 tournament for the identical reason. Their most recent participation in a worldwide football tournament was the 2018 World Cup, which they hosted and advanced to the quarterfinals.
The Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League draws took place last week.
Ahead of the drawings, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin spoke with POLITICO about a variety of concerns in the game.
He was asked about the long-standing ban on Russian national teams and clubs from UEFA competitions.
He stated: “The suspension for Russian teams is, I believe, three and a half years. Did the conflict end? It did not. So I’m not sure right now.
“I have to add that the situation in Russia and Ukraine created a lot of political pressure.
“Now, civil society is exerting greater pressure than politicians, because politicians are obviously pragmatic when it comes to conflicts and victims. I can’t say what will happen. There are discussions over everything, but I personally oppose kicking the players out.
Ceferin went on to examine the controversial nature of the decision to ban Russia.
“For me, sport should try to show the way but not by forbidding the athletes to compete,” according to him.
“But, to be honest, with the war, Russia-Ukraine, we had an almost frantic political response. We were among the first to respond, convinced that sports could help put a stop to this tragedy.
“Unfortunately, life showed us otherwise. Now, I’m not seeing much reaction from politics. It has a significant impact on civil society.
To summarize, as long as the war in Ukraine continues, it is doubtful that UEFA will lift the ban on Russia.
Russian players must sit out for the time being.
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