The Russian Football Union will not leave UEFA

On Wednesday, a meeting of the executive committee of the Russian Football Union (RFU) was held in Moscow, at which it was unanimously decided to abandon plans to leave the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA) and move under the auspices of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Perhaps because, as noted by RFU President Alexander Dyukov, 26 countries included in the AFC, which is significantly more than half of the total number of participants, oppose Russia’s transition. However, as Mr. Dyukov made a reservation, the RFU may still return to the issue of turning to the East.

The Russian Football Union decided on Wednesday where it wants to be. The RFU Executive Committee voted unanimously to remain under the auspices of UEFA. “Members of the executive committee unanimously decided to refrain from taking any steps for now. If there were some guarantees, then we could talk about something and make an informed decision, but neither FIFA, nor UEFA, nor the Asian Confederation gives any written guarantees. Therefore, I think this is a reasonable, balanced decision. Let’s wait a little,” said member of the RFU executive committee Mikhail Gershkovich.

In February 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and UEFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from participating in international competitions for an indefinite period due to events in Ukraine. Convinced that a quick restoration of rights in UEFA should not be expected, the RFU in December 2022 began discussing the issue of moving to the AFC. One of the factors cited by European football officials when explaining the suspension of Russian teams was the impossibility of ensuring their safety: supposedly the European public would not tolerate the presence of Russian football players in their stadiums. As a result, in December 2022, the RFU executive committee discussed the issue of moving from UEFA to the AFC, where, as expected, they were not so negatively disposed towards Russians.

In fact, judging by the words of RFU President Alexander Dyukov, not everyone in the AFC wants Russia to move to Asia.

“There are a certain number of countries that want to see us, but there are countries with which it will be difficult or impossible to come to an agreement,” Mr. Dyukov told reporters. “Who is against seeing us in Asia? 26 countries that supported sanctions against the Russian Federation. The list changes depending on the sanctions, all these lists are available, there is a level of football officials and national associations who are generally friendly towards Russian football, and there is a political level – the situation there is different.” Let us note that in total the AFC includes 47 national federations.

“Why should we leave? – continued Mr. Dyukov. – For the sake of five or six countries that will rejoice and rub their hands? Here they are, gone! Why give opportunity for joy? UEFA is not deceiving us, you can’t say that. We are negotiating. They just don’t let us play. We are talking about double standards. At UEFA no one tells us: pack your things and leave. The majority speaks as in the decision on U-17. The ayes have it”. The “decision on U-17” that Mr. Dyukov mentioned concerned the admission to international tournaments of Russian teams made up of players under 17 years of age. It was adopted by the UEFA Executive Committee on September 26. But on October 10, UEFA, faced with criticism from a number of European countries, reversed the decision itself.

At the same time, the President of the Russian Football Union did not rule out that the RFU would return to the issue of leaving UEFA. “Next year we can apply to leave UEFA,” he said. “We can even do this in January 2024.” If such prerequisites exist. UEFA’s attempt to return our teams shows that they want to see us there. But there is pressure on UEFA, there is interference. There are a number of countries that define Asian football that want to see us, but this is not a road of roses, there will be a struggle. Just as the transition will not be easy, it will continue to be difficult for us to take part in international competitions.”

Arnold Kabanov