UEFA Vice-President Nilsson steps down as head of the Swedish Sports Confederation
The first vice-president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Karl-Erik Nilsson, who supported the admission of Russian youth teams to tournaments, left his post as head of the Swedish National Sports Confederation (RF). This is reported on the RF website.
“It’s a very difficult decision to choose a certain side now because I felt very committed to this cause and joy in this role,” Nilsson said. He explained that he decided to resign because it was difficult for him to combine work at UEFA and RF.
Nilsson has served as head of the organization since May 2023. On October 3, the functionary expressed regret that his position on the admission of Russians was perceived as a refusal to defend Sweden’s position.
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 organization noted that the proposal includes admission in a neutral status, that is, athletes can receive the right to compete without the flag and anthem. Later, England, Poland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Romania and Ukraine announced that their junior teams would refuse matches with Russian teams.
Source: Lenta
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