Jan Dyuritsa, a former Lokomotiv Moscow defender who once wore the Slovak national jersey, offered his take on a potential shift in how the Russian football landscape is governed. He commented on the idea that the Russian Football Union might switch its affiliation from the Union of European Football Federations to the Asian Football Confederation, highlighting the practical reasons behind such a consideration.
Dyuritsa suggested that a move to the AFC could align with the ambitions of Russian players who crave chances to compete in international tournaments and demonstrate their skills on larger stages. He argued that aligning with the AFC could open new corridors for competition, sponsorship, and exposure, arguing that it would not only broaden the reach of Russian football but also create more opportunities for players to test themselves against diverse styles of play.
The discussion follows a period of upheaval in world football. In early 2022, FIFA and UEFA took the unprecedented step of suspending the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from competitions under their purview. This suspension halted Russia’s participation in many high-profile events and disrupted the normal pathways for clubs and players seeking European competition and advancement.
On January 24, a coordinated session convened in Nyon, Switzerland, featuring officials from the Russian Football Union and UEFA. The participants reviewed the roadmap for potential reinstatement of Russian teams and outlined the procedures for resuming participation in international tournaments. The conversation was framed around cooperation and staged milestones aimed at rebuilding relations and reestablishing Russia’s presence on the continental and global stages.
In addition to this, senior figures from FIFA and the International Olympic Committee were anticipated to join the forthcoming discussions. Their involvement signaled a broader, multi-organizational interest in the status and future of Russian football, with a focus on stability, governance, and long-term development for the sport in the country.
Meanwhile, former football manager Alexei Safonov offered his perspective on the potential transfer of Artem Dzyuba to Moscow Lokomotiv. Safonov weighed the strategic implications for the club, considering how the striker’s experience and leadership could align with Lokomotiv’s tactical plans, squad balance, and ambitions for domestic success and European competition.