Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny commented the situation with the ban on the delegations of Ukrainian national teams to participate in competitions to which Russians and Belarusians are admitted. In particular, the official said whether the Ukrainian team would take part in the selection for Euro 2024.
“I would like to emphasize that the decision was made in such a way that the final verdict to deprive the federation of the status of a national one is taken by the commission. In this case, the decision is not aimed at depriving or punishing anyone on a formal basis. The point is that in each case the position of the federation will be considered, how it will defend the interests of our state in wartime.
Each specific case will be considered separately. We work a lot with international partners, we urge to work together with national federations, we work with the diplomatic corps. Today there is such speculation that we are "washing our hands" and freeing up space for the Russians - this is not at all the case.
Will the players of the Ukrainian national team go to the selection for Euro 2024? The main decision will be made by the federation - UAF. I think we have enough time to clarify the position. I know that they will compete in different groups and will not intersect directly within the same event. I am sure that it is also unacceptable for our players to go to the same site, look into the eyes and shake hands with the aggressor," Bedny said on the air of Suspilny.
