The Ukrainian Football Association has sent a letter to UEFA Secretary General Theodor Theodoridis asking him to look into the situation with the possible participation of a representative of the aggressor country in the annual meeting of football referees.
"Your unwavering stance on the war waged against Ukraine by the Russian terrorist state has made a significant contribution to peace building and sent a clear message to the Ukrainian people that the big football family stands in defence of human values and justice.
UEFA has rightly suspended the clubs, national teams, officials and the entire football representation of the Russian Federation for the obvious reason that all citizens of the said terrorist state are equally responsible for the horrific war crimes committed in Ukraine in 2022-2023.
However, we would like to ask you to consider one more comment regarding the information spread in the media that Russian referee Sergei Karasyov has been invited to participate in the annual meeting of football referees. This meeting will be held in September in Switzerland and is an official UEFA event for referees who are to be included in the lists for working matches under the auspices of the organisation. The Russian Football Union (RFU) has confirmed this invitation, which is the first since 24 February 2022.
We are convinced that this case is unacceptable against the backdrop of UEFA's general policy towards citizens of the Russian Federation, and we believe that the above is the result of a misunderstanding. However, we would like to take this opportunity to ask you to comment on this matter, as, given the tragic experience of the Ukrainian state and people, which we have been gaining every day for more than a year, every episode of possible sanctions relief against the aggressor is critically sensitive for all of us," the UAF letter reads.
