FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian teams from European tournaments last February following the invasion of Ukraine and there’s understood to be no way back into competition while the fighting continues.
Sports correspondent @RobHarris
Tuesday 24 January 2023 12:36, UK
Russian football teams are set to remain banned from European competitions as the war on Ukraine continues, Sky News understands.
Russia is also set to be stripped of hosting the UEFA Super Cup – the showpiece men’s game between the Champions League and Europa League winners – that was due to be staged in Kazan in August.
Ahead of a meeting of UEFA’s executive committee on Wednesday, Russian Football Union (RFU) leaders were set for talks with officials from European football’s governing body.
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Russian state media said there was a desire for Russian Football Union officials to use the meeting to discuss the return of clubs and national teams to international tournaments.
But it’s understood there is no immediate chance of UEFA allowing the return of Russian teams while the war launched by Vladimir Putin continues.
UEFA has a desire to discuss the general state of Russian football and the domestic situation – preparing for when teams could return to its competitions if the war ends.
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UEFA – along with FIFA – suspended Russian teams last February until further notice, within days of the full-scale invasion on Ukraine being launched.
The decisions were backed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July after appeals were filed by the RFU and clubs.
It meant Russia was banned from qualifying for the men’s World Cup and from competing in the women’s European Championship last year.
Russia is also prevented from qualifying for the men’s 2024 European Championship.
The RFU did not respond to an email seeking comment, while UEFA declined to comment.
UEFA needs a new host for its Super Cup match in August with Kazan set to be stripped of the prestigious game. It follows the men’s Champions League final being taken off Saint Petersburg last year.
Russia, which hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has floated the prospect of trying to leave European football and join the Asian Football Confederation.
