In the context of the ongoing situation in Ukraine, Grigory Kritser, described as an Israeli official, affirmed that the stance toward Russian athletes in Israel remains unchanged. He conveyed this sentiment to the publication Championship, underscoring that the country does not conflate sports with politics. According to Kritser, sport is sport and politics is politics. He noted that athletes are judged by their eligibility in terms of competition and financial qualifications, not by the passport they hold. This distinction, Kritser argued, guides Israeli sports administrators in their decisions regarding foreign players.
The broader environment for Russian competitors was shaped by a joint decision from FIFA and UEFA, which left the Russian national team and all Russian clubs out of participation in their controlled competitions. This exclusion has been a defining backdrop to how Russian football is engaged with on the international stage, affecting players, clubs, and national associations alike. The impact extends beyond matches to implications for sponsorship, development funding, and international exposure for Russian athletes.
During 2022, the Russian national team conducted three friendly fixtures with teams from Asia—Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These matches served as testing grounds for squad depth and tactical experimentation as Russia navigated a period of reduced competition at the highest European and global levels. The results and performances in these friendlies were monitored closely by analysts and fans seeking signals about future prospects under international sanctions and the evolving landscape of regional football relations.
Valery Karpin and his coaching staff guided the team through their final official engagement in the 2022 World Cup qualifying cycle, a match against Croatia in November 2021, which concluded with a 0-1 scoreline. This result reflected the challenges faced by the side as it contended with strong European opposition and the broader consequences of ongoing structural shifts within international football governance. Critics and supporters alike evaluated the tactical approaches employed and the implications for future qualification campaigns in the post-qualification phase.
At one point Kritzer asserted that RFU directions would not sever ties with UEFA. The position suggested a willingness within Russian football leadership to remain engaged with European football’s governing bodies, despite the external pressures and sanctions currently affecting participation. This stance has been part of a broader debate about the strategic alignment of Russian football with European structures, the role of regional blocs, and the potential pathways for reintegration into UEFA competitions when circumstances permit. Researchers, commentators, and professionals in the sport have continued to analyze what steps would be necessary for a return to normalcy in European play and how clubs and the national team could adapt to a changing regulatory environment.