England’s youth football teams will not participate in matches against Russian teams, the Football Association (FA) confirmed on Tuesday. This decision follows UEFA’s recent announcement to reinstate Russia’s Under-17 sides to European competition for the first time since the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion, which Moscow has referred to as a “special military operation,” European soccer’s governing body took action in February 2022 by suspending all Russian teams, including national and club sides, from participating in UEFA competitions. Additionally, UEFA terminated its partnership with Russian energy company Gazprom.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday after the Executive Committee meeting held in Limassol, Cyprus, UEFA expressed its stance on the matter. The organization recognized that children should not be penalized for actions solely attributed to adults. As a result, UEFA’s Executive Committee decided to readmit Russian teams of minor players to its competitions during the current season.
Furthermore, UEFA instructed its administration to propose a technical solution that would allow for the reintegration of Russian U17 teams, both girls and boys, even in cases where draws have already taken place. UEFA clarified that matches involving Russian teams would be held outside of Russia and would not include the country’s flag, anthem, or national kit.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin emphasized the importance of recognizing children’s fundamental right to holistic development. He stated, “By banning children from our competitions, we not only fail to recognize and uphold a fundamental right for their holistic development but we directly discriminate against them.”
However, the FA voiced its disagreement with UEFA’s decision. An FA spokesperson conveyed their stance, saying, “We do not support the position of readmitting Russia to UEFA Age Grade Competitions, and our position remains that England teams won’t play against Russia.”
The U-17 men’s European Championship finals are scheduled to take place in Cyprus next year, while the women’s tournament is set to occur in Sweden.
In a related announcement, UEFA revealed that Armand Duka would succeed former Spanish Federation (RFEF) boss Luis Rubiales. Rubiales stepped down as a vice president of the soccer body after an incident where he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips following Spain’s World Cup victory last month, which sparked controversy among players and fans. Duka, currently heading Albania’s soccer federation, has been a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee since 2019.
