Uefa has decided to end its blanket ban on Russian teams by allowing the country’s under-17 sides into its competitions from this season.
All Russian teams, at club and international levels, have been barred from Uefa events since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But plans are being drawn up to partially relax those rules and allow minors to compete, using the justification that children should not be punished for the actions of adults.
“It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football,” a Uefa statement read.
“For these reasons, the Uefa executive committee has decided that Russian teams of minor players will be readmitted to its competitions in the course of this season.”
The executive committee – which still lists the Russian Football Union president, Alexander Dyukov, among its number – announced plans to seek a solution that would allow Russian under-17 teams, in the men’s and women’s games, to play even when draws have already been held. In one high-profile example it could leave the door open for Russia to belatedly enter the Uefa Under-17 Championship qualifiers, which begin on Wednesday and conclude in late November.
Any matches contested by Russian sides will be played without their national flag, anthem or kit. The ban on continental games being played on Russian territory also remains in force.
The Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, appeared to assuage fears of a wider return by ruling out any further softening of the ban. “Uefa’s continuing suspension against Russian adult teams reflects its commitment to take a stand against violence and aggression,” he said.
“Uefa is determined that this position will continue until the war is over and peace restored. But by banning children from our competitions, we not only fail to recognise and uphold a fundamental right for their holistic development but we directly discriminate against them.”
It remains to be seen whether Fifa, the global governing body, will take a similar stance and permit Russia’s under-17 sides to play in global events.
