Russia fail in effort to get Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrov banned
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Ukraine national coach Oleksandr Petrakov has been fined by UEFA and warned of discrimination against Russia after he declared his willingness to take up arms and fight Vladimir Putin’s invading armies.
Petrakov, 65, told the Guardian in April that “if they come to Kiev, I will grab a weapon and defend my city,” adding: “I think I can take out two or three enemies.”
It led the Russian Football Union to write to UEFA that Petrakov was accused of discriminating against their country and not remain politically neutral, and called for a suspension.
But in a Facebook post, the head of the Football Federation of Ukraine, Andrii Pavelko, wrote that UEFA simply warned Petrakov and handed out a small fine, which the organization paid on his behalf.
He accused Russia of “distraction tactics” on the eve of Ukraine’s important UEFA Nations League game against Scotland on Wednesday night.
Russia has failed in its efforts to have Ukrainian coach Oleksandr Petrakov suspended for ‘discrimination’ after the 65-year-old vowed to take up arms against Vladimir Putin’s armies
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
Ukrainian FA president Andriy Pavelko said UEFA had fined Petrakov and warned
Ukraine will also face Armenia on Saturday and Scotland again next Tuesday, at a neutral venue in the Polish city of Krakow, in a bid for promotion to League A of the competition.
It came as UEFA was expected to confirm that the Russian team will be banned from Euro 2024, while the conflict in Ukraine is still ongoing, nearly seven months after Putin’s army first invaded.
In a Facebook post, Ukrainian FA chief Andrii Pavelko said UEFA only warned and fined Petrakov for his comments.
“Russian hysteria about the head coach of the Ukraine national team, Oleksandr Petrakov, is not worthy of the slightest attention as their ill-mannered complaint has long been pending before UEFA,” Pavelko wrote.
‘Of course there is no ban and it was not possible. There was a warning and a small fine that the Football Federation of Ukraine had the honor to pay.
“So in vain are the Russians now – on the eve of an important game for the Ukrainian national team – trying to divert our preparations.
“Everyone is focused on this as much as possible and preparing to support our boys.
‘PS At the same time, the Russians have nothing to prepare for. As requested, Russia will not participate in qualifying for Euro 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany on October 9, and will not participate in official international football competitions until at least 2024.
Euro 2024 will pass without an aggressor country! Glory to Ukraine!’
As reported by the guardFUR deputy secretary general Denis Rogachev accused Petrakov of violating codes of conduct by calling for Russia to be banned from international sport.
Russia accused of diversionary tactics as Ukraine plays Scotland on Wednesday
Ukraine won at Hampden Park in June as they tried to qualify for the World Cup
Ukraine narrowly missed a place in the World Cup and lost in a play-off to Wales
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.
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.
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
‘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’.
The Russian national team and Russian clubs have been banned from all competitions by both UEFA and FIFA.
A Ukrainian unit drives tanks as they take back territory occupied by Russia earlier in the conflict
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?”
Petrakov led several youth teams of Ukraine for ten years before being installed as national coach in August 2021.