Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin appreciated the decision of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) not to allow Russian youth teams (U-17) to participate in international tournaments. He shared his opinion with him TASS.
“It seems that the influence and pressure of many countries unfortunately led to the decision to change this stance. This once again speaks of a very difficult period in which sport and international sports organizations have become fiercely politicized. Unfortunately, they cease to be independent.
We will continue to strengthen our national system and take into account this bitter experience of mistakes, which shows that the positions of international organizations cannot always be trusted,” Matytsin said.
In the spring of 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and UEFA decided to suspend the participation of the Russian national team, as well as all Russian clubs, in all competitions controlled by these organizations. The national team played only friendly matches.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin announced that the Russian U-17 women’s and men’s national teams will return to international matches on 26 September. On 8 October, The Independent reported that UEFA may reconsider this decision, and on the 10th it was officially announced that the decision had been reversed.
Previously Shevchenko supported UEFA decided to exclude Russian youth teams from the squad.