UEFA makes U-TURN on plan to end its blanket ban on Russian football teams after 12 European federations said they would refuse to play them following the country’s invasion of Ukraine last year

UEFA has abandoned plans to end its blanket ban on Russian football teams after facing fierce backlash over its decision to allow the national under-17 team to compete last month .

The governing body was quick to issue a total ban on national teams and clubs following Russian aggression 18 months ago, and the organization’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, said in April that It would be “very difficult” to reverse the decision for as long as Russia remained involved in its conflict with Ukraine.

However, UEFA announced a fortnight ago that it would ease the ban to allow Russian youngsters to play and develop – insisting this was the case. ‘aware that children should not be punished for acts for which adults are solely responsible.

The policy has caused a split in UEFA’s executive committee and at least 12 of Europe’s 55 member federations have said their teams – believed to include England – will continue to refuse to play matches against Russia.

UEFA has now been forced to backtrack and announced on Tuesday that Russia will not be allowed to participate in the U17 European Championship qualifying matches this month.

UEFA has given up on ending the blanket ban on Russian football teams.

Russia has not been allowed to participate in international competitions, but UEFA has now allowed its U17 team to play matches.

After assessing how Russian youth teams could be reinstated, UEFA said on Tuesday after another executive committee meeting that “the agenda item was withdrawn as no technical solution could be found for allow Russian teams to play.

Last year, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine – and before the UEFA ban came into force – England reiterated their commitment not to face Russia in any competition while she was still involved in the conflict.

An FA statement in February 2022 read: “In solidarity with Ukraine and to unreservedly condemn the atrocities committed by the Russian leadership, the FA can confirm that we will not play against Russia in any international match in a foreseeable future. .

“This includes any potential match at any senior, age group or para football level.”

Although UEFA partially lifted the ban last month, it insisted that all matches featuring the youth teams would be played on neutral ground and that teams would not be able to wear the team’s jersey. Russian national team, nor play the national anthem before kick-off.

Alongside the ban, UEFA issued a statement saying that the organization’s executive committee “reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s illegal war and confirmed that the suspension of all other Russian teams (including the clubs and national teams) would remain in force until the end of UEFA”. conflict in Ukraine.

UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin cleared the Russian under-17 team to compete last month.

The decision sparked strong backlash, with at least 12 of Europe’s 55 member federations – including England, reportedly – ​​saying they would not face Russia.

In April, Russia discussed the possibility of lifting the ban after abandoning a plan to transfer to the Asian Football Confederation.

“We are negotiating with UEFA about the restoration, lifting of bans. The negotiations are difficult, these are long conversations that last all the time,” RFU general secretary Maxim Mitrofanov said at the time , to the official Russian news agency TASS.

“UEFA does not want the RFU to leave, and the RFU does not want to leave, but nevertheless, it is very important to restore matches for clubs, youth teams and the first team, of course we want play.”