At the 49th Uefa Congress in Belgrade, FIFA President Gianni Infantino ruled a controversial discussion: Russia’s potential return to international football. While his statement was framed about the hope of peace in Ukraine, the reaction it drew from Uefa and the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) strongly – and firm.
Still, what UEFA said about this opportunity reveals a much more complex dynamic at the game behind football’s governing bodies, global politics and unifying – or to share – the power of sports.
Is facing European football leaders, Infantino expressed a desire that Russia can soon be welcomed back to the international foldBut only if such a return symbolized an end to war. His words were hopeful, even idealistic and reflected football’s long -standing ambition to serve as a force for unit.
“When calls are going on for peace in Ukraine, I hope we can move to the next page soon: Also take back Russia in the football landscape. Because this would mean that everything is resolved, ” Said Infantino. “That’s what we have to cheer for, that’s what we have to pray for – because that’s what football is about. It’s not about sharing, it’s about combining girls, uniting boys, uniting people wherever they are.”
Russia has been banned from all FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022after its full -scale invasion of Ukraine. This includes both national teams and club pages over all age groups. The suspension has now lasted for three years.
UEFA is firm
Infantino’s comments quickly attracted attention – and drew a line in the sand. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin made it clear: There would be no return for Russia while the war remains. “As I have said many times before, when the war stops, they will be redeemed,” He said at the Congress’s closing press conference.
His comments echo the long -lasting position of the governing bodyOne who was first adopted in February 2022, when UEFA’s executive committee, in connection with the FIFA Council, canceled Russian teams from all international competitions.
Behind the scenes told Uefa -insiders Diario like to There was no official discussion to reintroduce Russian law during the congress, as such decisions fall outside its procedural competence. Infantino’s comments were still enough to get strong reactions throughout Europe – especially in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Football Association answers
The Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) responded with an official letter Addressed to UEFA and national football associations throughout Europe, reminds them of the decision that was made in 2022 and warning against backtracking.
“We are grateful for the football family for the immediate response at the beginning of the full war released against us by Russia … and to keep the teams in the land of the aggressor away from international football for the past three years,” UAF wrote.
They also criticized earlier attempts to partially lift the ban – for example The short proposal to allow Russian U-17 teams into UEFA competitions in 2023, a feature that was later abolished after widespread counter -reaction.
“Returns of Russians to competitions under the auspices of UEFA and FIFA threaten a split in the football family and poses a direct threat to the security and integrity of such international competitions,” UAF finished.
Still indicating reports that UEFA Direrettor Zoran Lakovic had expressed hopes in Russian media that in 2025, “Russian sport will finally return to its former place.” These conflicting signals have left European football that goes a politically tight.
