On February 24, after the start of a full-scale invasion of the Russian army into Ukraine, the UAF sent appropriate appeals to FIFA and UEFA about the importance of applying sanctions against the football representatives of the Russian Federation.
On February 28, FIFA and UEFA jointly decided that all Russian teams, whether national or club, would be banned from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice. Such decisions were then taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee - the highest decision-making bodies of both organizations on such urgent issues.
On May 2, the UEFA Executive Committee, in order to ensure the smooth running of tournaments in a safe environment, adopted a number of decisions in addition to the previous decision of February 28. Russia has been suspended from all competitions of the 2022/2023 season among youth, women's and men's club and national teams.
“Now we are making efforts at the UEFA level, the purpose of which is to ensure that Russia does not take part in the Euro 2024 qualifying draw, which is due to take place on October 9 in Frankfurt am Main. The tournament itself, let me remind you, will be held from June 14 to July 14, 2024 in Germany. An aggressor country cannot be represented in competitions where national teams of countries, unlike the Russian Federation, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states, take part. A country that in the 21st century, in full view of the whole world, kills innocent women, children and the elderly, seeks to destroy - physically and mentally - an entire people, our people, must receive complete isolation in the international arena, including in football! Until he stops committing his crimes and does not compensate for the damage, ”said Andriy Pavelko, UAF President.
