The Ukrainian Football Association has sent an official letter to FIFA, AFC, UEFA, and the Jordanian Football Association regarding the participation of teams from Russia in international friendly matches, as well as the planned match between the men’s national teams of Jordan and the Russian Federation, which is scheduled to take place on September 4, 2025, in Moscow.
The letter emphasizes the ban imposed by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022 regarding the participation of Russian teams in international competitions. This position, supported by the entire global football community, remains in effect and is an important expression of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“The brutal aggressive war is ongoing. Russia kills peaceful Ukrainians every day. Holding international matches involving representatives of the aggressor country is a direct violation not only of the decisions of governing bodies but also of basic principles of humanity, peace, and respect for life,” the appeal states.
UAF expresses particular concern regarding recent matches that have already taken place or been announced:
— January 21, 2025 — a friendly match between the Russian “Zenit” and the national team of Jordan in Qatar;
— February 26, 2025 — a match between the women’s teams of Russia and Jordan in the UAE.
The most significant concern is the match of the men’s national teams scheduled in Moscow, as holding such games on the territory of a terrorist state is unacceptable from both a moral and political standpoint.
The Ukrainian Football Association calls on all parties to take immediate measures to prevent further violations of FIFA and UEFA decisions and to maintain the unity of the football family in the face of war and aggression.
“The decision made by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee in the early days of Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which provides for a ban on the participation of Russian national teams and clubs in international competitions under FIFA or UEFA auspices and should be upheld by all members of the World Football Community, remains valid. However, according to information from open sources, for certain reasons, the Jordanian Football Association this year invited teams from Russia to participate in friendly matches and recently announced its intention to come to Moscow for the match of the men’s national teams scheduled for September 4, 2025.
The aforementioned refers to the friendly match between the national team of Jordan and the Russian club “Zenit” (Saint Petersburg), about which it was announced on January 21, 2025, and the match between the women’s national teams of Russia and Jordan that took place on February 26, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates. However, the scheduled match of the men’s national teams in the territory of a terrorist state surpasses all of the above.
As part of the global football family and representing the Ukrainian people, we draw your attention to the fact that the brutal aggressive war is STILL ONGOING, and Russians kill dozens of Ukrainian civilians, including children, every day in cities and villages across our country — remaining unpunished. Supporting Russian football by participating in matches with teams from the aggressor country directly contradicts the unified position of the global football community regarding human values and solidarity and also ignores the mentioned ban by the football governing bodies on the participation of all Russian teams in the international football environment.
In this regard, we respectfully call on FIFA, AFC, and our colleagues from the Jordanian Football Association to take note of our appeal and take appropriate measures to prevent any participation of teams from the aggressor state in international matches, as this is a gross violation of the unified position of the football family and the global aspiration for peace and the value of every human life.
We sincerely hope for your understanding and cooperation.”
UAF calls on the football community to prevent matches with teams from the aggressor country