“We consider this a violation” Ukraine FA slams FIFA and UEFA for its silence in Russian top-tier playing club friendlies in Turkey

UEFA and FIFA have also taken the step to ban Russia after a massive outrage of multiple footballing bodies against Russia.

“We consider this a violation” Ukraine FA slams FIFA and UEFA for its silence in Russian top-tier playing club friendlies in Turkey

Russian clubs after a friendly match in Antalya, Turkey. Image via club's official Instagram

The 2018 World Cup host Russia has been banned from competitive matches at the club and country level since they invaded Ukraine. The ban led to a rapid decline in the standards of matches in the country. While international players in Russia departed rapidly, the fan following of football has also died down. Despite the ban, Russia has been appealing to UEFA to lift the ban, recently in Switzerland. The ban, however, does not include club friendlies, as Turkey hosted a few club friendlies of Russian clubs against other European clubs recently.

FK Vojvodina of Serbia played against Russian side Akhmat Grozny in a club friendly in the fields of the five-star Sueno Hotel in Antalya, Turkey. Ukrainian officials claimed that Russia breached the UEFA ban and that UEFA should completely isolate Russia. “Any representatives of the country have no right to participate in international activities, including sports. Russia and its companion Belarus should be isolated completely.” Oleksandr Glyvynskyi of the Ukrainian Football association said.

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“Although the games in Turkey have an unofficial status, we consider this a violation of the isolation of Russian sports,” the official spokesperson added. Despite clubs not requiring UEFA’s permission to play club friendlies, the Ukrainian FA have demanded to shut down Russian club friendlies. Ukraine further added that they will not play any matches against clubs that are involved in club friendlies against Russia.

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The involvement of Bulgarian clubs amidst Ukraine invasion

While the Russo-Ukraine war continues to rage on, Bulgaria has been continuously travelling to Turkey to play club friendlies. During Bulgaria’s harsh winters, top clubs travel to Turkey to play club friendlies against various clubs from Europe.

Levski Sofia, a Bulgarian club recently cancelled their friendly match against Russian clubs. “Many fans of Levski feel it’s just not right to play Russian teams,” Bulgarian journalist Metodi Shumanov said. While Bulgarian society supports Russian due to its history, football fans have supported Ukraine amidst the invasion.

Russian clubs are still in a struggle with UEFA to uplift their ban before the Champions League draw. The top 4 clubs, who currently qualify for the Champions League as per their current league positions, will be looking to participate in the Champions League draw in June.

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