Chink of football light for Russia as UEFA opens door again to under-17s
NYON: England UEFA has lifted its blanket ban on Russia’s participation in its competitions to allow under-17s fixtures.
The executive committee of European football’s governing body offered a chink of light to the Russian regime 18 months after prohibiting all Russian teams from its competitions following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A UEFA said: “Children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults, and is firmly convinced that football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope.
“It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football.”
Russia’s under-17s will be allowed to play in Europe again but without their national flag, anthem or national kit. Games cannot be played in Russia.
The overall ban prevented Russia playing at the Women’s European Championship in England in 2022 and from qualifying for the men’s and women’s World Cups.
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