The Russian Football Federation (RFS) announced its readiness to leave the European Football Federation (UEFA) to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the near future.
Russia will be the top candidate for the Asian Cup if it joins the AFC. Photo: Reuters.
“A few months ago, I said that the idea of joining Asian football was a bit premature. But now it is an opportunity that we should consider,” RFS President Aleksandr Dyukov told RIA, “I have not said yet. talking to the AFC because UEFA still considers us part of Europe. It would be rude to negotiate behind their back. But that is a possibility we are looking at.”
This is the first time RFS has confirmed the possibility of leaving UEFA to join AFC. In March, Russian media revealed that the officials of the country’s football industry see joining the AFC as a salvation for their national teams and clubs to continue to compete internationally.
Russian football is subject to an indefinite ban from FIFA and UEFA. Their men’s national team was not allowed to play in the 2022 World Cup play-offs while the women’s team was stripped of the right to play in the EURO 2022 finals. At the club level, the only Russian team still playing in the European Cup last season Spartak Moscow was disqualified. eliminated from the Europa League.
Russian football has been isolated since the beginning of the year, although domestic tournaments are still taking place normally. This prompted RFS officials to quickly find a solution. In July, the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the bans imposed by FIFA and UEFA after the RFS filed an appeal with the organisation. Joining the AFC is considered the most likely option that can help Russian football return to the international arena soon.
In the past, there was a precedent for football platforms to switch from members of one continent to another. In 1974, Israel left the AFC to become a member of UEFA. In 2005, Australia applied to join the AFC after a long time being a member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).
Hong An | 13:00 November 28, 2022
