State Duma deputy criticizes the stance of Russian football clubs toward Ukraine developments
State Duma deputy Roman Teryushkov criticized Russian football clubs for their neutral stance amid the situation in Ukraine, suggesting that organizations and media should acknowledge the broader context. He pointed to coverage from Euro-Football.Ru as part of his critique and emphasized the need for a more decisive public position from the sport on national issues that affect the country’s image and morale.
Teryushkov argued that the financial model sustaining Russian football relies heavily on the backing of large state-connected corporations. He contended that this financial support creates incentives for both the Russian Football Union and the Russian Premier League to adopt a neutral approach to events unfolding in the country. According to him, when European clubs align with Ukraine, domestic clubs appear to pass through the moment rather than engage directly with it, which he view as a missed opportunity to demonstrate solidarity and national purpose.
He suggested that allocating resources toward domestic priorities could yield broader benefits. Specifically, he proposed redirecting substantial sums toward free sport programs for children under 18 as a more impactful use of public funds, which he framed as a long-term investment in national well-being and sports development rather than short-term symbolic gestures.
In the spring of 2022, FIFA and UEFA halted the participation of the Russian national team and all Russian clubs in events governed by those bodies. Since that suspension, Russian teams have mainly competed in friendly matches under various arrangements, while foreign players continued to join clubs within Russia. This shift altered the competitive landscape and raised questions about the future structure of Russian football on the international stage.
There has been ongoing discourse around whether Russian clubs should be allowed to return to European competition, with UEFA having previously addressed the issue when considering a path back for teams from Russia. The debate encompasses sporting, political, and financial dimensions, as stakeholders seek a solution that reconciles competitive ambitions with broader regional and international dynamics.