General Secretary of the Russian Football Union (RFU) Maxim Mitrofanov explained why Russian football has not moved to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), stating that after such a transition Russia will not be automatically accepted anywhere. “Championship”.
“We have two bans from FIFA and UEFA. We have only one option regarding Asia: to go and establish relations with their confederation. The national associations of the AFC are friendly towards us,” said Mitrofanov.
In the spring of 2022, the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to suspend the participation of the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in all competitions controlled by these organizations.
UEFA made an attempt to return the Russian youth team to the international arena, but in the autumn of 2023 the Executive Committee of the organization annulled the decision on admission.
Previously, UEFA President Ceferin stands For Russia’s acceptance.