By Andrew Warshaw
September 27 – In a move likely to cause consternation among some of its members, UEFA has decided to end its blanket ban on Russian teams by allowing the country’s under-17 sides into its competitions from this season.
For the first time since the country’s invasion of Ukraine 19 months ago, UEFA has softened its stance, arguing that boys and girls should not be punished for the actions of adults.
“Football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope,” the organisation said in a statement.
Uefa suspended all Russian teams from European competitions when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. It also revoked hosting rights for the 2022 Champions League final and 2023 Super Cup, which were due to be held in Saint Petersburg and Kazan respectively, as well as cancelling its sponsorship contract with state-owned energy giant Gazprom.
UEFA insists all Russian age group teams above under-17 remain suspended and that it has “reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s illegal war”, but the blanket ban is set to change as soon as UEFA finds a “technical solution” to return Russian youth teams to European competition.
“UEFA’s continuing suspension against Russian adult teams reflects its commitment to take a stand against violence and aggression. UEFA is determined that this position will continue until the war is over and peace restored,” declared UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
“But by banning children from our competitions, we not only fail to recognise and uphold a fundamental right for their holistic development but we directly discriminate against them.
“By providing opportunities to play and compete with their peers from all over Europe, we are investing in what we hope will be a brighter and more capable future generation and a better tomorrow.”
UEFA’s executive committee – which still controversially lists the Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov among its members – has asked the organisation’s administration to “propose a technical solution” to allow teams back into U17 competitions even if they have already started.
It re-iterated that no matches will be played in Russia and the country’s teams will not be allowed to wear the national kit, display their flag or play their anthem. The next Under-17 men’s European Championship finals are due to be played in Cyprus next year. The women’s equivalent will be held in Sweden.
Travel issues around Europe for Russian citizens means it is by no means clear exactly how or where Russian youth teams could now play. But UEFA says the time is right not to punish future generations of footballers.
“It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football,” UEFA argued. “At the same time, the executive committee reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s illegal war and confirmed that the suspension of all other teams of Russia (clubs and national teams) will remain in force until the end of the conflict in Ukraine.”
The plan to partially relax its ban and allow minors to compete, which critics may interpret as a drip-drip move towards removing further sanctions amidst fears of fatigue about the war in the global news agenda, has already drawn a strong criticism from the English FA which will refuse to allow its youth teams to play against Russia.
“We do not support the position of readmitting Russia to UEFA Age Grade Competitions, and our position remains that England teams won’t play against Russia,” an FA spokesperson told Reuters.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1727133435labto1727133435ofdlr1727133435owedi1727133435sni@w1727133435ahsra1727133435w.wer1727133435dna1727133435