On December 24, Russian media quoted people familiar with the sports industry as reporting that the leadership of UEFA expressed opposition to the Russian Football Association's intention to leave UEFA and join AFC .
According to Russian news agency 24, informed sources revealed that UEFA does not want Russia to lose its membership. UEFA believes that after geopolitical tensions ease, Russian football will begin to integrate into European football again.
FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement when the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in late February this year, suspending Russian clubs and national teams from participating in all FIFA and UEFA competitions. As a result, Russia missed the World Cup preliminaries against Poland in March this year and missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
According to the official website of the Russian Football Association, the Russian Football Association discussed the issue of "switching to the AFC" at the executive committee meeting held on December 23, and the vast majority of clubs expressed support.
Russian Football Association Chairman Alexander Dyukov said at the time that UEFA was waiting for the situation to stabilize, but Russia was worried that even under such conditions, some teams might still boycott games with Russia. "No one can guarantee how this issue will be resolved." He also said that switching to the AFC is a realistic way for Russian football to return to official competition.
Russia's ambassador to Qatar Dmitry Dogadkin also said in early December that most countries in Asia would respond positively to Russia's joining the AFC.
Source: The Paper/Nanbo
