UEFA head: ban on participation of Russian national teams under 17 discriminates against players
President of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Aleksander Čeferin explained the decision to allow Russian under-17 teams to participate in the tournament. His words are quoted on the organization’s website.
“By prohibiting children from participating in our competitions, we not only fail to recognize the fundamental right to their development, but also directly discriminate against them,” said the head of UEFA. He stressed that giving young athletes the opportunity to play and compete with their peers from across Europe will create a brighter and more capable future generation.
Earlier, on September 26, the UEFA Executive Committee proposed allowing Russian national teams among players under 17 years of age to participate in international tournaments. The executive committee noted that the proposal includes admission in a neutral status, that is, athletes can receive the right to compete without the flag and anthem.
On February 28, 2022, the International Football Federation and UEFA excluded Russian national teams and clubs from international tournaments. Teams do not compete in European competitions, and the Russian national team lost the opportunity to compete for access to the final part of the 2022 World Cup.
Source: Lenta
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