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2w ago

UEFA Keeps Russia Ban in Place as Infantino Presses Rethink

UEFA signals no readmission for now despite outside pressure to revisit Russia’s status.

People wave national flags as they take part in a pro-war rally to support Russian President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming presidential election at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. March 3, 2018. (REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov)
Image
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) embraces UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin on stage at the UEFA Congress in Brussels on Thursday

Overview

  • Aleksander Ceferin said in Brussels that UEFA’s stance has not changed and that officials are monitoring developments daily.
  • FIFA president Gianni Infantino has argued the ban “has not achieved anything” and floated bringing back Russian teams at youth level.
  • Ukraine’s sports minister Matvii Bidnyi condemned any rollback as legitimizing the invasion, and UAF president Andriy Shevchenko relayed that message directly to Infantino.
  • The IOC has recommended youth-level participation for Russian teams, and several sports bodies eased restrictions in 2025, increasing pressure on football authorities.
  • Russia remains a member of FIFA and UEFA, but widespread refusals to play make any immediate return to European Championship or World Cup qualifiers impractical.