Russia is considering leaving UEFA to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The Russian Football Union (RFU) has reportedly already scheduled a meeting to discuss the possible move. ESPN sources say the summit will take place on Friday.
The Russia national soccer team, as well as all clubs within the country, are currently suspended by FIFA and UEFA. The sanctions from the sport’s governing bodies were imposed following the invasion of Ukraine in February. And as the war continues, so does the suspension.
UEFA selected Saint Petersburg to host the 2022 UEFA Champions League final in May until the governing body switched the match to Paris due to the invasion.
Official calls UEFA countries ‘unfriendly’
Russia is still banned from playing. However, he believes that a return to action may come sooner with a move to Asia. However, a FIFA ban persists. There is no clear end to that indefinite ban, nor is there an expected conclusion to Russia’s military advances in Ukraine.
“In the current geopolitical realities, the presence of the RFU in UEFA contradicts the national interests of Russia,” Roman Teryushkov, a deputy of the State Duma, told sports.ru. “It is impossible to build a sports friendship with countries hostile to us and with constant punctures from the collective West.”
Russia’s final decision on UEFA’s switch to the AFC could come as early as Friday
Additionally, the aforementioned report claims that a pre-meeting occurred before Christmas about the change. Friday’s forum could lead to a final decision on the move to Asia. Most of Russia’s land mass is technically in Asia. Although most of its citizens live in the European section of the nation.
UEFA is monitoring the situation and will no doubt seek clarification on Russia’s intentions. No team has ever left the governing body of the sport in Europe before.
However, the Asian federation has allowed countries from outside the continent to join the group. Australia previously left the Oceania confederation to play in Asia in 2006.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Russian look
