that due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, national teams and club teams from both countries will play their “home” matches on neutral ground until further notice. Moreover, UEFA has decided that this year’s Champions League final will not be held in Saint Petersburg but in Paris. Restrained, even cowardly decisions of the European federation – in the event of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, it seems obvious that the Russians should be excluded from international competition.
How is UEFA’s decision commented on in Russia? We ask Match TV journalist Sergei Astakhov about his reactions. – The head of the Russian football federation, Alexander Dukov, said that the decision to change the organizer of the Champions League final is purely political. He emphatically emphasized that Saint Petersburg was ready to organize the match and ensure safety for all participants – says Astakhov.
It is worth noting that the decision of the European federation to play on neutral ground matches hosted by Russia and Ukraine in the play-offs for promotion to the world championship. The decision in this matter will be made by the world football federation FIFA, because it is the organizer of the qualifications.
The Russians indicate where they can play with Poland
Nevertheless, the Russians are reconciled with the fact that the match will not be played in Moscow anyway. – Most experts, former footballers or activists believe that UEFA’s decisions are pure politics. We expect the Russia-Poland match to be held in neutral territory, Astakhov says.
Where, according to the Russian journalist, could the Russia-Poland match take place if FIFA upheld UEFA’s decision? “In Belgrade,” Astakhov points out without hesitation. – For Russia it is an ideal city, a very good solution, but UEFA has to accept it – he adds. It is not yet known how UEFA will determine the locations of the “home” matches of the teams from Russia and Ukraine.
The Match TV journalist also told us how the joint statement of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic was adopted in Russia, which announced on Thursday that they would not go to Moscow for the play-off match. This applies to the Poles in the first place, but in the second stage of the play-offs – with Russia’s victory – the winner of the Sweden-Czech Republic pair would play in Moscow.
– Hardly anyone understood such mixing of politics with sport. There are really a lot of people in Russia who are not involved in politics and are against war. They do not understand why they are considered guilty and deprived of the chance to watch an interesting match of the national team – comments Astakhov.
The Russia – Poland match is scheduled for March 24. The winner of the pair will play with the better of the match Sweden – Czech Republic for promotion to the November World Cup in Qatar.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
