In response to the recent decision by the European soccer governing body, UEFA, to reinstate Russia’s Under-17 teams in European competitions, Ukraine has taken a firm stance. The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) released a statement, emphasizing their refusal to participate in tournaments involving Russian teams. This decision has stirred controversy and garnered support from various football associations worldwide.

UEFA had initially suspended all Russian national and club teams from participating in its competitions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, in a surprising turn of events, UEFA expressed that “children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults.” Consequently, Russian U-17 teams are set to make a return to UEFA competitions during the current season.

The UAF strongly condemned UEFA’s decision to readmit Russian U-17 teams, urging UEFA to maintain its comprehensive ban on Russian teams. The UAF firmly stated, “We will not take part in any competitions with the participation of Russian teams and appeal to other UEFA member associations to boycott possible matches involving teams from the Russian Federation, pending their admission.”

The UAF argued that allowing Russian teams back into competitions during a period of hostilities initiated by the Russian Federation against Ukraine is unjustifiable and implicitly endorses Russia’s aggressive policies.

England’s Football Association promptly responded to UEFA’s decision by declaring that its youth teams would not engage in matches against Russia.

The U-17 men’s European Championship finals and the women’s tournament are scheduled for Cyprus in the upcoming years. Sweden, the host of the women’s tournament, has unequivocally stated that the Russian team will not be allowed to participate if they qualify. The Swedish Football Association emphasized, “Swedish national teams (senior and youth) should continue to not play matches against Russia, neither in Sweden nor abroad.”

The Polish Football Association president, Cezary Kulesza, expressed surprise at UEFA’s decision and made a resolute statement, “If Russian national teams are allowed to participate in the competition, our national teams will not compete with them. This is the only right decision.”

In addition to the football associations’ responses, Ukraine’s sports ministry has taken a significant step by prohibiting Ukrainian national sports associations from sending delegations to events where Russian or Belarusian teams are competing. Belarus had allowed its territory to be used as a launchpad for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite this stance against Russian teams, Ukraine’s football association clarified that its senior team would continue to participate in qualifiers for Euro 2024, even though the Belarusian team competes in a separate qualifying group.

Ukraine’s steadfast refusal to engage in tournaments with Russian teams, coupled with support from other football associations, has put UEFA’s decision under scrutiny and ignited a debate over the moral implications of sports in times of geopolitical conflict.