The Russian Football Federation (FUR) was set to fulfill on Friday to debate leaving the European physique UEFA and becoming a member of the Asian confederation AFC.
State news company TASS mentioned this has to do with UEFA sanctions imposed on the FUR after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the Russian nationwide workforce and golf equipment kicked out of all worldwide occasions.
Russia was excluded from the play-offs for this yr’s World Cup in Qatar and can be not a part of qualifying for the Euro 2024 match in Germany.
The nationwide workforce has solely performed three friendlies for the reason that invasion began, in opposition to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – three former Soviet Republics who’re a part of the AFC.
If accepted by the AFC, Russia might be able to play extra matches, and such a transfer would additionally present that the nation just isn’t politically remoted.
Asian sport seems extra able to re-admit Russia and its athletes to worldwide occasions.
Last week, an Olympic Summit agreed on a movement from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to facilitate the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in 2024 Olympics qualifiers in Asia beneath its authority.
Most of Russia’s territory is in Asia.
It wouldn’t be the primary such change of confederations in worldwide soccer.
Israel is a UEFA member since 1992 after being expelled from the AFC for political causes. Australia left the Oceania confederation for the AFC in 2006 to have extra competitors and a greater likelihood of qualifying for the World Cup.
