In a significant decision amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, the Russian Football Association has voted against leaving the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). This decision comes in the wake of Russia’s ban from UEFA due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Akhmed Aydamirov, Vice-President of the Russian Football Union, confirmed the unanimous decision, emphasizing Russia’s commitment to remaining in Europe’s football community. “We decided that we will not move to Asia. Everyone supported the decision unanimously,” Aydamirov stated, as reported by TASS, a state-run news agency. He further asserted Russia’s resolve by declaring, “We will fight for Europe. Russia is Europe. We will win.”
The ban, imposed just days after President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, excluded Russia from participating in the Euro 2024 qualifiers. A potential shift to the AFC would have brought substantial financial implications for Russian clubs, particularly those that have historically competed in prestigious European tournaments like the Champions League.
Russian football authorities also expressed concerns about FIFA’s stance on such a transition. Mikhail Gershkovich, a member of the Russian Football Union, highlighted the absence of guarantees from FIFA as a key reason for the decision. “We unanimously voted against since there are no guarantees from FIFA,” he told RIA Novosti, another state-run news agency.
Gershkovich noted that the Russian Football Union would continue its engagement with UEFA and remain open to how the situation evolves in the future. “Let’s see how the situation develops next year,” he remarked, indicating a wait-and-see approach as the football world grapples with the ramifications of Russia’s geopolitical actions.
