Russia demands UEFA BAN Ukraine national football coach Oleksandr Petrakov

The Russian Football Federation has demanded that the manager of the Ukrainian national team be suspended after expressing his willingness to fight Vladimir Putin’s invading armies.

Oleksandr Petrakov, 65, told the Guardian in April that “if they come to Kiev, I will pick up a weapon and defend my city,” adding: “I think I can take out two or three enemies.”

Now the Football Association of Russia [FUR] has written to UEFA accusing Petrakov of discriminating against their compatriots and not remaining politically neutral, and calling on him to impose sanctions.

As reported by the guardFUR deputy secretary general Denis Rogachev has accused Petrakov of violating codes of conduct by calling for Russia to be banned from international sport.

Petrakov tried to join Ukraine’s territorial defense forces when Russia invaded the country in February, but was discouraged due to his age and lack of military experience.

He behaved with immense dignity when Ukraine entered the Qatar World Cup play-off in June. They defeated Scotland but saw their hopes of qualification ended by Wales.

Petrakov said in an interview shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February that he would fight to defend the city of Kiev – pictured is the funeral of soldiers in the city

Rogachev’s letter to UEFA made no mention of his country’s invasion of Ukraine or the thousands of civilians and military personnel who died in the conflict.

“The statements of the head coach of the Ukrainian representative football team, Oleksandr Petrakov, are made against the background of the political conflict between the two countries – Russia and Ukraine – and represent a political message that clearly violates the fundamental principle of political neutrality. . ‘ He wrote.

‘In addition, the behavior of the head coach can be seen as involvement in’ [sic] promoting public hatred on a national basis and using football to express political views.”

It is further alleged that Petrakov was in fact making a ‘call for violence’ and ‘discriminating on a national basis’.

A Ukrainian unit drives tanks as they take back territory occupied by Russia earlier in the conflict

Russia’s letter to UEFA made no mention of the massive devastation caused by their country’s invasion of Ukraine, nor of the thousands of deaths. Pictured is damage in Kharkiv

The Russian national team and Russian clubs have been banned from all competitions by both UEFA and FIFA.

In response, a spokesman for the Football Federation of Ukraine told The Guardian: “When his country was attacked by invading inhumane [Petrakov] was ready to defend his country, his wives and children.

He was not allowed to join the army because of his lack of military experience, but his step is a testament to his dedication to the country and patriotism.

“What kind of discrimination can we talk about in relation to a nation that deliberately commits genocide against another nation?”

Ukraine narrowly missed a place in the World Cup and lost in a play-off to Wales

Russia’s national football team is banned from international competition

Petrakov led several youth teams of Ukraine for ten years before being installed as national coach in August 2021.

A UEFA spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on individual cases. When complaints are received, they are handled in accordance with the provisions of the disciplinary regulations.

“We are unable to provide you with any further information at this stage.”