“The Asian scenario should not be ruled out” – Kommersant FM

The Russian Football Union called maintaining membership in UEFA a priority. This was stated by the general secretary of the organization Maxim Mitrofanov. At the same time, according to him, the RFU must make a decision by the end of the year on the possibility of moving to the Asian Confederation. Kommersant FM sports commentator Vladimir Osipov looked into what made RFU officials remember Asia again.

The words of the official in the public space, I am sure, caused deja vu for many. The transition to the Asian Football Confederation was actively discussed quite recently. A few months ago, the head of the RFU, Alexander Dyukov, spoke enthusiastically about the possible transition: “If we don’t do it now, then the next official tournament for national teams in which we can take part will be a cycle from 2027.”

After that, to call a spade a spade, the officials quickly changed their shoes right in the air. Now the course is to stay in UEFA. Mr. Mitrofanov even called the news that the European Union had canceled the admission of Russian junior teams to international tournaments as a hoax. According to the official, UEFA simply did not find a technical solution that would allow teams from the Russian Federation to play. Moreover, it seems that the possibility of the return of junior teams is still being worked out.

But no matter how the officials play with words, the result is the same. No one – neither juniors nor adults – will get to international tournaments.

Unfortunately, everything that the Russian Football Union does in a difficult situation bears little resemblance to real work, says football manager Yuri Belous: “For me, this is the height of incompetence and fooling the masses, imitation of activity. We must quietly and calmly resolve all these issues. And we need to be prepared for the fact that for several years we will have to remain, essentially, without international football.”

Judging by the actions of UEFA, where their decisions constantly test public opinion, European officials are waiting for a favorable situation to bring Russia back. But so far this has not yielded results. For example, the decision to integrate junior teams into European football led to about a dozen countries announcing a boycott of matches with our teams.

So it hasn’t worked out yet, but there is definitely a dialogue between the RFU and UEFA, and the sharp changes in the course of our football confirm this, businessman and former owner of Spartak Andrei Chervichenko is sure: “Since such a sharp press on the brakes and a turn 180 degrees from the given vector , most likely, there are some behind-the-scenes conversations going on. But I think the result is far away. “Everyone understands that until the military situation ends, there will be no solution.”

It is not clear why officials from the RFU suddenly began to mention Asia again. Did some difficulties really arise in those very negotiations about which we know so little? Perhaps they remembered about Asia after the tough position of FIFA and UEFA to admit Russia only after the completion of the SVO.

Yes, we are told that Europe is the priority. The General Secretary even compared football in our country to a child whose parents want the best for him. But the speed with which his helmsmen change decisions makes one wary of their complex course, and, despite Mr. Mitrofanov’s confident tone about the European vector, it is still not worth excluding the Asian scenario, which now seems like a fantasy.

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