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The football association of Ukraine has written to Uefa\u2019s member nations urging them to boycott matches against junior Russian teams.<\/p>\n
Uefa announced earlier this week that it would be reinstating Russia at under-17 level.<\/p>\n
The decision comes after a ban on all Russian sides by European football\u2019s governing body after the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow in February 2022.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s Football Association (the FA) had been among the national bodies that had said that they would not allow their sides to play Russia despite Uefa\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
And the Ukrainian footballing body has now urged all members to do the same.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are convinced any step towards reintegration of Russian representatives is a hazardous and terrifying trend, which means nothing but support to the Russian terrorist state and all their crimes committed in Ukraine,\u201d said the letter, according to the BBC.<\/p>\n
The next Under-17 male European Championship finals are due to be played in Cyprus next year, while the women\u2019s U17 Euros are set to be hosted by Sweden in May.<\/p>\n
Sweden\u2019s FA has also said that it will not allow age-group sides to face Russia and will not host the country, even if there is now a path to qualification. <\/p>\n
Uefa\u2019s executive commitee is expected to meet on 10 October to confirm their position.<\/p>\n
Aleksander Ceferin, the president of Uefa, this week said that the move to relax the blanket ban came out of a desire to not punish children for the action\u2019s of the Russian government amid the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cUefa\u2019s continuing suspension against Russian adult teams reflects its commitment to take a stand against violence and aggression. Uefa is determined that this position will continue until the war is over and peace restored,\u201d said the organisation\u2019s president Aleksander Ceferin.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut by banning children from our competitions, we not only fail to recognise and uphold a fundamental right for their holistic development but we directly discriminate against them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy providing opportunities to play and compete with their peers from all over Europe, we are investing in what we hope will be a brighter and more capable future generation and a better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n