Alexander Dyukov and his fellow Putin-backed officials’ continuing role has largely been ignoredUefa’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine could not have been swifter. Hours after the fighting had started in Luhansk, European football’s governing body convened an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee and, three days later, on 28 February 2022, Uefa, with Fifa, announced that all Russian clubs and national teams had been banned from their competitions until further notice.Under-17 male and female teams were allowed back in September 2023, on condition they compete without their national kit, flag or anthem, only to be banned again after a dozen member associations threatened a boycott. Continue reading...
Despite bans on Russian teams, Russia maintains significant influence within UEFA through its federation's continued membership and the presence of Putin-approved officials in UEFA committees, exceeding Ukrainian representation. These officials were largely appointed after the invasion of Ukraine, and their positions are secure until 2027.
