UEFA: Russia’s u17 national teams return to European football

The decision to allow the u17 national teams of Russia (girls and boys) to participate in her events, took the UEFA.

Russia’s national teams and clubs have been banned from UEFA and FIFA competitions since late last February due to the invasion of Ukraine. However, there is a twist right now, involving specific age groups, though.

UEFA emphasizes that Russian teams under the age of 17 will be able to participate in matches, as it considers that “children should not be punished” about the conflict and that football “he must never stop sending messages of peace and hope”.

It is a given, however, that the teams in question will not wear any badge or anything related to Russia in their appearances, no matches will be held in the country and the anthem will not be played.



“UEFA was the first sports body to react to the war in Ukraine and took decisive action in February 2022 – it suspended all Russian teams from its competitions, removing events scheduled in Russia, such as the UEFA Champions League final in St. Petersburg and the UEFA Super Cup in Kazan, and canceling its sponsorship contract with Gazprom.

However, UEFA also knows that children should not be punished for actions that are solely the responsibility of adults and is convinced that football should never stop sending messages of peace and hope. For these reasons, UEFA’s executive committee has decided that Russian youth teams will be re-admitted to its competitions during this season.” UEFA reports.

??? Other future host appointments:#U17WEURO: Northern Ireland 2026? Finland 2027.#U17EURO: Albania 2025? Estonia 2026? Latvia 2027.#U19WEURO: Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026; Hungary 2027.#U19EURO: Wales 2026; Israel 2027.

All ExCo decisions: ??

— UEFA (@UEFA) September 26, 2023