Russia (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
The Russian Football Union (RFU) has unanimously decided against moving from UEFA to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), choosing to continue dialogue with UEFA amidst softened restrictions for youth teams.
The Russian Football Union (RFU) has made a pivotal decision to remain with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), rejecting a potential move to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This decision comes in the wake of Russia's national and club teams being suspended from participating in FIFA and UEFA competitions since February 2022, due to the country's military actions in Ukraine.
RFU's head, Alexander Dyukov, had previously raised the possibility of joining the AFC as an alternative. However, Mikhail Gershkovich, a member of the RFU board, confirmed that the decision to stay with UEFA was unanimous. "We voted unanimously against [the move] as there are no guarantees from FIFA," Gershkovich was quoted by the RIA news agency.
The RFU's choice to maintain ties with UEFA is influenced by recent developments indicating a softening stance towards Russian youth teams. In September, UEFA stated that "children should not be punished for actions for which only adults are responsible," signaling a potential thaw in relations.
This decision marks a significant moment for Russian football, as it chooses to navigate its current challenges within the European framework, holding out hope for a possible future reintegration into global football.