FIFA and UEFA can take a firmer stance on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Suspending Russia from international competitions in 2022 was the correct decision, but more can be done. Banning Russia entirely from both organisations would send a direct and clear message.
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, several international organisations gathered to determine how they would respond to Russia’s actions. The Parliamentary Assembly for the Council of Europe (PACE) expelled Russia, and Russia was suspended from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Two other groups that partook in sanctioning Russia were FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). During a snap meeting, FIFA and UEFA determined that the Russian men’s and women’s senior national teams would be suspended from international competitions.
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In addition, Russian football clubs would be unable to take part in international competitions. This meant that the Russian senior men’s national team would miss out on the men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Russian women’s senior national team was barred from the women’s 2023 FIFA World Cup. In addition, Russia is not eligible to compete in qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships. Finally, Russia was prevented from hosting the 2022 UEFA Champions League final.
Despite these rulings, Russia has attempted to undermine these authorities. For example, the Russian Federation has explored how it can leave UEFA and join the Asian Football Confederation. The Russians were recently invited to compete in the Central Asian Football Association Championship. The switch, however, would “require thorough examination”, and it is unknown how Russia would successfully switch organisations.
After careful examination, Russia opted not to compete in the Central Asian Football Association Championship. The Russian Federation claimed it could not participate in the tournament due to a “loaded fixture list”, even though the Russians have been banned from partaking in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
Undermining UEFA
Aside from national team football, Russia is also trying to undermine UEFA’s authority at the domestic level. Following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Russian Federation seized the football structure in Crimea. Russia established a Crimean Football League which saw eight teams participate. Ultimately, due to financial pressures, some clubs were dissolved as they could not survive in the new Russian format. The Russian Federation also established new clubs on the peninsula to force their participation in the larger Russian football hierarchy, thus slowly trying to culturally annex Crimea into Russia.
This was most apparent in 2022 when Russia attempted to establish a new league that would include clubs from the occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia. Russia announced that this league would be separate from the Russian Football Union. The championship was scheduled to begin in March 2023, but new developments have occurred.
FIFA and UEFA previously stated that Crimean football cannot be incorporated into the Russian football system. It appears, however, that Russia has disregarded this message. According to reports, the Russian Football pyramid now includes Crimean clubs. This is a violation of FIFA and UEFA standards.
The Ukrainian Premier Liha (UPL) was swift to react. In an official statement, the UPL stated that the “acceptance of Crimean teams into Russian football only legitimises the annexation and appropriation of the territory of another country.”
Ukraine’s Association of Football issued a statement of its own. In the letter to FIFA and UEFA, First Vice President Oleh Protasov stated that Ukraine had contacted “FIFA and UEFA several times regarding the attempts of Russian football governing bodies to take over Ukrainian clubs.” He also announced that the Ukrainian Association of Football would appeal to FIFA and UEFA, asking the two bodies to consider excluding Russia from FIFA and UEFA membership.
Time to take real action
This is not the first time Ukraine has issued statements to FIFA and UEFA demanding them to take a stand against Russia’s illegal actions. Unfortunately, both football bodies have been slow to react to these situations. This has allowed Russia to continue with its unwarranted actions, and this only undermines FIFA’s and UEFA’s authorities.
Now, FIFA and UEFA can take a firmer stance on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Suspending Russia from international competitions in 2022 was the correct decision, but more can be done. Banning Russia entirely from both organisations would send a direct and clear message.
Russia must be forced to end its unjust and unnecessary war. Until then, the Russians should not be able to compete in any form of international or domestic football. This should include the illegal annexation and incorporation of Crimean clubs.
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