UEFA President: It's Very Difficult to Lift the Ban on Russia Before the War Ends

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, after his re-election today, indicated that it will be "very difficult" to lift the ban on Russia's participation in continental competitions before the end of the war in Ukraine. During the European Association General Assembly meeting in Lisbon, Čeferin stated, "In my personal opinion, until the war ends, it will be very difficult for us to change anything." The sanction against Russia was implemented in February of last year. Čeferin noted that "only the UEFA executive committee" can decide to exclude Belarus from the European Championship qualifiers in 2024. He added, "We will monitor the situation and decide what to do." In February of last year, both the European and international football associations decided to ban all Russian teams, at both club and national levels, from participating in their tournaments following the invasion. More sports federations excluded Russian competitors and their ally Belarus after the invasion, but some have started to allow them back into competitions.