The UEFA Executive Committee has softened sanctions against Russian football teams: this season, Russian youth teams under 17 will be able to participate in international competitions under a neutral flag.
.in_text_content_22 { width: 300px; height: 600px; } @media(min-width: 600px) { .in_text_content_22 { width: 580px; height: 400px; } }
This is definitely not a softening of our position towards Russia: adult teams are still excluded. We are talking about children who can do nothing against a terrible war – they had no opportunity to influence the country’s politics. Moreover, they will not compete under the Russian flag,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, general director of Borussia Dortmund and member of the UEFA executive committee, in a conversation with BILD.
A similar position is shared by the famous German footballer, another member of the UEFA executive committee, Karl Heinz Rummenigge.
Children are victims of war, they are not to blame for anything and need help. They bear no responsibility for this war and should not be subject to further punishment. That’s why I voted yes to let them play again,” he said in a conversation with BILD.
UEFA’s decision to admit Russian youth teams to international competitions led to a stormy reaction in Europe. Poland, England, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway have announced their readiness to boycott all football matches involving Russian national teams. In Kyiv, UEFA’s proposal was even called “baseless and tolerant of Russian aggressive policy.”
According to BILD, the German football association is due to announce its position today.
Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino admitted the possibility of the Russian national team participating in the next FIFA World Cup, qualifying for which will begin next year.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Russians killed more than 500 Ukrainian children during the full-scale invasion.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.