UEFA comments on Russia plans for friendly amid Ukraine outrage

Ukraine has asked UEFA and FIFA to stop Russia from hosting friendly matches in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November.

European football governing body UEFA said the international friendly between Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in St. Petersburg in November did not violate current sanctions, according to TASS.

The Russian Football Union (RFU) and its Bosnian counterpart confirmed last week that a match between the two countries was planned for 19 November at the 67,000-capacity Gazprom Arena.

Additionally, the RFU previously announced a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on 24 September and a match against Iran in November, although dates and locations have yet to be determined. Hmm.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s visit to Russia has caused particular anger among Ukrainian football officials. statement It is demanding that UEFA and FIFA intervene and stop the match from proceeding.

The Ukrainian Football Association also said that Bosnian football boss ‘It hurts the country’s image’ By advancing opportunities.

In a statement to TasHowever, UEFA said friendly matches are not under its jurisdiction, indicating that the game does not violate the ban imposed on Russian teams from UEFA competitions.

FIFA has yet to respond to similar requests to clarify its stance, TASS reported.

Bosnian football officials faced criticism From two of the most famous players on their decision to go to Russia Miralem Pjanic and Edin Dzeko question this move.

The Russian men’s national team has not played since last November’s 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup qualifier against Croatia in Split.

The team, managed by Valeri Kalpin, has been prevented from reaching Qatar 2022 after being left out of the European qualifier play-off semi-final against Poland scheduled for March in Moscow.

Poland bid a farewell, defeating Sweden in the qualifying play-off final to qualify for Qatar.

Russian football officials have since dismissed appeals against UEFA and FIFA’s bans to the Swiss Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Indicated They could appeal to higher bodies in the form of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.