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UEFA has not ruled out the chances of Russia returning to football competitions around the globe if a total ceasefire is agreed upon in Ukraine. This was reported by the renowned British publication 'The Independent', citing its own sources.
The UEFA bans follow the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, sparking universal international criticism, such as FIFA and UEFA's March 2022 ban of Russian teams from every football competition.
However, UEFA has reportedly opened the groundwork to facilitate Russia's return in club and international football, with growing tensions within the members in UEFA.
UEFA may revoke the long-standing ban on Russian teams
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Next week, a UEFA congress will reportedly be held in Belgrade, and insiders say that plans are underway to bring Russian clubs and the national team back into official tournaments.
The publication states that UEFA is already formulating possible measures for restoring Russia's involvement in international football tournaments. It underlines that Russia still has immense power in world football, and there is growing pressure within UEFA on this issue.
The Independent further asserts that the main reason for the suspension of Russian teams by FIFA and UEFA after the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine was not so much moral principles as a practical necessity.
Sources suggest that 12 European football associations signaled their willingness to boycott matches against Russian clubs, with the expectation that the figure could be as high as 18. In this case, football authorities would be faced with the decision of excluding a large number of national teams or only one. The suspension of Russia was therefore motivated by "technical" considerations and not political ideology.
The article points out that UEFA and FIFA attempt to avoid suspending nations for political reasons in order to stay away from being involved in the complicated legal scenario of every international conflict.
🚨 FIFA president Gianni Infantino has revealed he would like to see Russia return to play in the World Cup in the future. 🇷🇺
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 1, 2025
(Source: @MailSport)
🚨 The Ukrainian FA says Russia's return to international football would 'ignore the suffering of thousands'. pic.twitter.com/8f7qLaTxqM
Earlier, UEFA President Alexander Ceferin made the point about football being employed as a tool for creating peace. He said he believed that contact between children from different nations could build understanding and destroy enmities.
Meanwhile, Ceferin also spoke of a "ferocious attack by politicians," especially those on the left wing, against the suggestion that young Russian teams should be brought back in club and international football.
Andriy Shevchenko calls on UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to visit him in Ukraine and to reconsider letting Russia return to international football @SkySports pic.twitter.com/3K1NhuXdes
— Domesticsportsgh.com (@DomesticSportgh) January 27, 2024
Back in 2023, UEFA overturned the decision that allowed Russia to return to international competitions, specifically the U-17 age group. Ukraine, England, Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark threatened to withdraw if such a thing happens, AP reported.
🚨 UEFA has spoken out in favour of Russia returning to European competitions at youth level! 🔙🇷🇺
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 26, 2023
“UEFA no longer wants children to be punished for actions for which adults are solely responsible.”
(Source: @RMCsport) pic.twitter.com/eSCIRHtLS7
The Independent reports that the suspension of Russia will continue to remain in effect until a complete ceasefire is reached in Ukraine.
Nevertheless, top officials at UEFA are already preparing a plan for bringing back Russian teams in the case of peace, when sport can once again be "center stage." A halt of aggression by Russia would, therefore be followed by a said normalization in the world of sport.