The Russian Football Union refused to consider Crimea Russia
Russian football officials continue to ignore the Crimean teams, fearing a UEFA confrontation.
Following the Vice-President of the RFU Igor Komensky, the Minister of Sports of Russia Oleg Matytsin spoke about the reasons for the continued ban on the participation of Crimean teams in Russian tournaments, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The issue of participation of football clubs from Crimea and Sevastopol in the Russian Championship has been raised since 2014. Due to the sanctions imposed on the rebellious peninsula, the RFU refused to recognize the Crimeans, and local clubs were left out of the domestic championship.
Footballers began to look for themselves in teams in other regions, clubs were content with regional competitions, but after the sanctions were extended to all Russian football, it seemed that the situation would change. However, the RFU considers the issue not relevant.
“Our season has just ended,” said RFU Vice President Igor Komenskoy. “Ahead of the next one, if it [the issue] becomes relevant, we will raise it.”
Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin, in an interview with Izvestia, said that “everything possible” is being done for the participation of Russian athletes in competitions, but Russia does not intend to resolve this issue unilaterally, without taking into account the position of international federations.
“From the point of view of legal steps, we are supporters of complying with all regulations, despite the pretentious attitude towards the Russian Football Union (RFU). We will not unilaterally violate agreements and regulations. We are for interaction and a two-way street. Work is underway, and we will reach legal solutions in the near future.
On the one hand, there are a number of restrictions on the part of FIFA and UEFA, on the other hand, there is movement forward. For example, teams from the student league (Crimea) can participate in Russian competitions,” the minister emphasized.
“Yes, a lot has changed. But there is probably no need to take aggressive steps that violate agreements or regulations, in this case football ones. We will always have time to burn bridges. To say that “you violate, then we will violate everything” is incorrect. I wouldn’t do that,” Matytsin noted.
Crimean football fans characterize this position of functionaries as betrayal.
“All possible sanctions have been imposed against us, and Russian football officials continue to fidget and not recognize Crimea. Maybe it's time for you to follow Galkin and others? Got it!” – wrote Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the head of Crimea on information policy.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.