2023-09-26 18:05:03
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided on Tuesday September 26 to reintegrate Russian men’s and women’s under-17 football teams into its competitions. “Children should not be punished for actions for which adults are solely responsible”argues the body in a press release.
On February 28, 2022, in agreement with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), its international counterpart, it decided to exclude the country’s teams from its tournaments, in response to the invasion of Ukraine by the troops of the Kremlin.
“It is particularly regrettable that due to the persistence of the conflict a generation of minor players is deprived of their right to compete in international competitions”believes the UEFA executive committee.
Other suspensions maintained
The government of the organization has charged its administration with “propose a technical solution” allowing their immediate reintegration, and this “even when the draws [des compétitions] have already taken place ». Their matches will, however, have to be played “without the flag, the anthem and the official uniforms” as well as’“outside Russian territory”.
The European body also reiterates its “condemnation of the illegal war led by Russia, and confirms that the suspension of all other Russian teams – clubs and national teams – will remain in force until the end of the conflict in Ukraine”.
Read also: Russian football sidelined by FIFA and UEFA due to the war in Ukraine
During the same meeting, which examined various issues, UEFA chose the National Stadium in Warsaw to host, on August 14, 2024, its next Super Cup (between the winner of the Champions League and the winner of the Europa League ).
UEFA also appointed the Albanian Armand Duka to become one of its vice-presidents in place of the former boss of the Spanish Federation Luis Rubiales, who was forced to resign on September 10 after imposing a kiss internationally Jenni Hermoso. He is the target of both disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
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