Mitrofanov said that the RFU is not using the move to Asia to blackmail UEFA
General Secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU) Maxim Mitrofanov explained the significance of the possible transition of the organization to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). His words are quoted by TASS.
“We are not trying to put pressure on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) – either this or we go to Asia. We have not used and do not use Asia as blackmail, this is really one of the roads,” Mitrofanov said. He stressed that the transition to Asia will be possible only after the International Football Federation (FIFA) agrees to lift the ban on the participation of Russian teams in international competitions. Otherwise, the teams will not be able to play in Asian competitions.
In December last year, the RFU executive committee created a working group that is studying the issue of transferring from UEFA to the AFC. The decision is planned to be made before the end of 2023. FIFA has stated that it will not prevent the Russian national team from participating in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup if the country moves to Asia.
On February 28, FIFA 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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