As a result of UEFA’s ban following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia remains forbidden to compete in Euro 2024 qualifying. Russia’s exclusion from major tournaments started in February.
Consequently, the senior men’s national team has not played a match in over 10 months. However, Russia is set to play a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan this weekend.
A qualifying draw for the 2024 Euros will take place on Oct. 9. In 2024, Germany hosts Europe’s premier international competition.
Russia was previously banned by UEFA’s executive committee in late February. They went on to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport; however, the original decision was upheld by the courts in July.
Russia banned from Euro 2024 qualification
In an official statement released on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed the decision to extend Russia’s ban. “All Russian teams are currently suspended following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee of 28 February 2022, which was further confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 15 July 2022,” read the statement. “Russia is therefore not included in the UEFA European Football Championship 2022-24 qualifying draw.”
The ban also obviously means that the Russians will not take part of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. When punished in February, they were removed from the qualification phase with immediate effect. Russia was scheduled to face Poland in Moscow back in March, but the game was canceled. Poland advanced in the qualification on a walkover.
Russia’s soccer embargo did not, however, only affect the men’s team. The women’s national team was also banned and expelled from this summer’s Women’s Euro tournament. Portugal took Russia’s place in the competition.
The 2022 Champions League final was affected by Russia’s actions as well. Although initially supposed to be held in St. Petersburg, a decision was made to move the match to Paris just a day after the invasion.
It remains to be seen when Russia will be allowed to play in another tournament in the future.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportfoto Rudel
