UEFA has announced that Russia will be prohibited from participating in the Under-17 European Championship qualifying matches scheduled for this month.
Over the past two weeks, UEFA’s staff has been considering the inclusion of Russia in its youth competitions for both men and women, even though the qualifying groups have already been determined.
Originally, each group was slated to play all of its matches in a single host country, spanning several days.
After assessing how Russian youth teams could be reintegrated, UEFA said after another executive committee meeting on Tuesday that “the agenda point was withdrawn as no technical solution to allow Russian teams to play could be found.”
The policy has caused a division within UEFA’s executive committee, with at least 12 out of the 55 European member federations declaring their teams’ intentions to continue boycotting matches against Russia.
In a show of solidarity, the football associations of England, Sweden, and Poland have all affirmed their refusal to participate in games against Russia’s youth teams. Ukraine’s FA has taken an even stronger stance by declining to participate in any competitions where Russian teams are allowed.
In a prior statement, UEFA acknowledged that children should not bear the consequences of actions solely attributable to adults.
“For these reasons, the UEFA Executive Committee has decided that Russian teams of minor players will be readmitted to its competitions in the course of this season.”
UEFA added to its initial proposals that Russian teams’ matches would be played outside the country and would not feature its flag, anthem or national kit.
“We have made ourselves really clear on Russia,” English Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham told reporters at UEFA headquarters. “From our understanding, nothing has changed.”
UEFA officials, including president Aleksander Ceferin, did not hold a press briefing on Tuesday.