December 21 – The Russian Football Association has voted against leaving UEFA to join the Asian Football Confederation despite its teams having been banned over the conflict in Ukraine.
FIFA and UEFA decided in February 2022 to kick out all Russian teams, whether national or club sides, from their competitions. As a result Russia considered joining the AFC, according to RFU head Alexander Dyukov.
But Russian news agencies reported that Moscow eyes progress in relations with UEFA and has therefore decided to preserve the status quo.
“The question (of moving to the AFC) was discussed. We unanimously voted against as there are no guarantees from FIFA,” the RIA news agency quoted RFU committee member Mikhail Gershkovich as saying on Wednesday.
“We have decided to continue contacts with UEFA, especially as there is progress. Let’s see how the situation develops next year.”
UEFA in September said “children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults” but quickly abandoned a much-criticised plan to reinstate Russia’s Under-17 sides to European competition.
The following month FIFA did opt to partially lift Russia’s ban by allowing under-17 girls and boys teams from the country to take part in tournaments. But only if teams played under the name of the ‘Football Union of Russia’ rather than Russia, in neutral colours, and without their national flag and national anthem.
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