Ukraine will boycott European competitions involving Russian teams, the Ukrainian Football Federation announced this Wednesday, a day after UEFA eased sanctions imposed on Russia.
This Tuesday, UEFA reported that the Executive Committee approved the readmission this season of the Russian under-17 teams to European competitions, maintaining the suspension of the rest of the teams, clubs and teams, due to the war in Ukraine.
“We will not participate in any competition in which Russian teams are present,” the Ukrainian federation stated, “strongly condemning” the partial opening approved by UEFA and urging the governing body of European football to “reverse its decision.”
The Ukrainian federation also called to “boycott matches in which Russian teams participate if they are readmitted”, a decision that was justified by UEFA with the need “not to punish children for acts that are the exclusive responsibility of adults.”
“The UEFA Executive Committee has decided that Russian teams with underage players will be readmitted to its competitions during the current season. In this regard, the Executive Committee has asked the UEFA administration to propose a technical solution that would allow “the reinstatement of Russian underage teams under 17 years of age (both women’s and men’s), even when the draws had already been made,” UEFA said in a statement.
Despite being readmitted, the teams will play matches outside the country, without national flag, anthem or playing equipment, explained the UEFA Executive Committee, which met on Tuesday in Limassol, Cyprus.
“It is particularly regrettable that, due to the persistence of the conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of their right to compete in international football,” he stressed.
UEFA also reiterated its condemnation of “Russia’s illegal war” and confirmed that the suspension of all other Russian teams, clubs and national teams will remain in force until the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
Source: TSF
