The Russian Football Union (RFU) chose to postpone a formal move to join the Asian Confederation in December 2022, a decision clearly tied to the concerns raised by a key trustee. A report from Sport Express highlighted that the trustee voting session underscored the risk that a rapid shift to Asia could be misaligned with broader organizational goals and the current state of football governance in Russia.
During the trustees’ meeting, participants noted that transferring Russian football to the Asian confederation would be a decision made in haste, potentially overlooking long-term implications for club competition, player development, and the nation’s standing in international football. The conversation reflected a careful, strategic approach rather than a rush to realignment, with emphasis placed on evaluating how such a change would affect Russia’s domestic leagues, youth systems, and the credibility of Russian clubs on the global stage.
Meanwhile, the international landscape remained defined by FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decisions to exclude the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from competitions overseen by these bodies. This exclusion had a substantial impact on the rhythm of Russian football, particularly in European tournaments. In 2022, with the exception of Zenit Saint Petersburg, Russian clubs did not participate in European cup matches. Zenit proceeded only to the knockout phase of the Europa League but faced a tough exit against Real Betis after a two-legged series, finishing with a 2–3 aggregate score.
Spartak Moscow, another prominent club, faced a different challenge as they advanced to the playoff rounds with RB Leipzig, having secured a group-stage victory that kept them in contention for European play. The broader consequence of the sanctions framework meant that Russian teams navigated a markedly altered competitive landscape, contending with restrictions that shaped scheduling, travel, and international exposure.
Additionally, perspectives from within Russian football continued to evolve in light of regulatory actions and court rulings. Alexander Alaev, who formerly led the Russian Premier League (RPL), offered his view on the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding FIFA’s objection to allowing Russian clubs to suspend the contracts of players and coaches. The CAS ruling provided a legal avenue for clubs to address financial and contractual pressures arising from the suspension of competition participation, signaling a nuanced balance between contractual obligations and the exceptional sanctions impacting the sport in Russia. These developments were discussed in the context of broader efforts to stabilize club operations while navigating international restrictions, and they highlighted the varied interpretations of how sanctions intersect with employment contracts in professional football.