Ukraine announces boycott of competitions with Russian clubs – 09/27/2023 – Sport

Ukraine will boycott European football competitions with the participation of Russian teams, the UAF (Ukrainian Football Association) announced this Wednesday (27).

The announcement comes one day after UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) decided to reinstate Russian under-17 teams in its international competitions, a move that the UAF “firmly condemns”, according to a statement published on its website.

The Ukrainian association “confirms that it will not participate in any competition in which Russian teams are involved”, the organization said, calling on UEFA “to reverse its decision” and urging other countries to “boycott any games in which Russian teams participate.”

On Tuesday (26), the highest body of European football decided to reinstate the Russian youth teams, considering that “they should not be punished for acts for which adults are solely responsible.”

UEFA’s executive committee considers it “particularly regrettable, given the persistence of the conflict, that a generation of minor players will be deprived of their right to play in international football competitions.”

The games of Russian youth teams must be played “without the Russian flag, anthem and official uniforms” and outside Russian territory”, determined UEFA.

The entity reiterated its “condemnation of the illegal war led by Russia.” And he pointed out that “the suspension of all other Russian teams – clubs and national teams – will remain in force until the end of the conflict in Ukraine.”

Russian teams, both clubs and national teams, were excluded from all international competitions following the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops in February 2022, a decision taken by UEFA and also by FIFA (International Football Federation).