Complete reverse for UEFA. The European football body took advantage of the expected, and highly publicized, announcement of the host countries of the Euro in 2028 and 2032 to slip in another piece of news, much less anticipated. She has decided to put aside her plan to reintegrate the Russian youth teams – under 17 – into international competitions.
The information was revealed in the morning, Tuesday October 10, by a journalist from the channel Sky News on his X account. Then it was confirmed by a UEFA spokesperson at the end of the closed meeting of the executive committee.
Reason given: a technical problem. The UEFA spokesperson explained this to the media: “ No technical solution could be found to allow the Russian teams to play. »
The European body surprised everyone at the end of September by announcing its decision to reintegrate the Russian youth teams, men's and women's, into its competitions. Their return to the continental scene was accompanied by conditions of neutrality – absence of flag, anthems and the usual colors of the selection – and subject to a “ technical solution ".
Obviously, it was not found. But it is tempting to think that UEFA has given in to pressure from numerous countries, led by Ukraine, having expressed their disagreement, even their hostility, to such a project. A handful of them had announced their decision to boycott tournaments where a Russian team would be present. Sweden had assured that it would not allow Russia to participate in the European Women's Under-17 Championship which it is due to host from May 5 to 18, 2024.
When UEFA's about-face was announced, Ukraine was the first to show its satisfaction. Its football federation (UAF) declared itself “ grateful”, she was pleased that her position had been “ heard”. " It is important that terrorist countries bear full responsibility for their crimes, especially in the world of football, insisted Vadim Kostioutchenko, vice-president of the UAF. No compromise is possible on this point. »
On the Russian side, the reaction of the head coach of the selection, Valery Karpin, says a lot about the fatalism which seems to have taken hold of the sports movement, from the athletes to the governing bodies. Nobody believes it anymore. “ I didn't expect us to be allowed to play again, nor did I expect UEFA's decision to reinstate us to ultimately be overturned, he told the media. At first they allowed us to play, then they reversed their decision. In both cases everything was very unexpected. »
Question: will FIFA also turn around? The international federation announced last week its decision to in turn open the door to Russian under-17 teams. At this stage, it is not certain that she insists on this path. But the body chaired by Gianni Infantino would not want to rush into announcing too quickly the abandonment of its project.
Circumstances give him the right to delay. The next competition concerned, the Under-17 World Cup, scheduled for November 10 to December 2 in Indonesia, will be played without Russia. Left out of the qualification process, his national team was unable to qualify.
