Ceferin Blames Politicians for Blocking Russia’s Return to UEFA
“They Discriminate the Most”
Ceferin Blames Politicians for Blocking Russia’s Return to UEFA
“They Discriminate the Most”
Failed Attempt to Reinstate Russia’s U17 Teams
Ceferin believes that banning Russian players does more harm than good.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has reignited the debate over Russia’s exclusion from European football, criticising political pressure as the main obstacle to their return.
Speaking to Slovenian newspaper Delo, Ceferin accused European politicians of hypocrisy, claiming that “those who advocate against discrimination are the ones who discriminate the most.”
Ceferin: "Those who speak out against racism are the biggest racists."
In late 2023, UEFA attempted to reintegrate Russia’s U17 national teams into its competitions, arguing that young players should not be punished for political conflicts.
However, the proposal was swiftly abandoned following strong opposition from multiple football federations.
Ceferin insists that junior players should not be held responsible for geopolitical tensions.
“These children don’t vote, they don’t support any government. They are being excluded out of fear and hatred,” he stated.
"We Want Russia Back, But Governments Won’t Allow It"
Since Russia’s suspension in February 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, UEFA and FIFA have maintained a strict ban on Russian teams.
However, Ceferin claims that UEFA’s hands are tied by political interference.
“Our proposal was brutally attacked. One FA president even had to resign.
The media went after UEFA, and in the end, everyone backed down, saying, ‘We want Russia back, but governments won’t allow it,’” he revealed.
Meanwhile, other sports federations have taken a different approach.
The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) has confirmed that Russian athletes will compete at the upcoming European Championships under their national flag.
Ceferin believes that banning Russian players does more harm than good.
“If a Russian child came to Slovenia and was welcomed by a Slovenian child, they would realise they are not enemies. Life moves on,” he argued.
As tensions between politics and sport continue, UEFA remains under pressure to uphold its stance while facing calls for a more inclusive approach.
The debate over Russia’s return is far from over.
