Eurosceptic Russia plans to apply to move from UEFA to AFC

December 30 - Russian football bosses are reportedly considering quitting UEFA and applying to join the Asian Football Confederation to allow its clubs and national teams to return to play.

The Russian Football Union (RFU) has apparently set a deadline of Saturday to make a decision it says could allow it to participate in tournaments in Asia.

All Russian clubs and national teams were banned from competitive football by FIFA and UEFA in February following the invasion of Ukraine. But despite the global suspension, the RFU is understood to believe that a move to the AFC would present a more welcoming environment if, or when, the ban ends.

Aleksander Dyukov, the president of the RFU, is said to have said that it was necessary to make a choice now, because not to do so would be tantamount to waiting for the 2027 cycle of international football.

"Delaying the decision for a few days means national teams could lose four years," he said. “We don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. In addition, it must be said that unfortunately we are also moving away ideologically from Europe”,

Roman Teryushkov, Deputy of the State Duma, told sports.ru: "In the current geopolitical realities, the presence of the RFU in UEFA contradicts the national interests of Russia.

"It is impossible to build a sporting friendship with countries that are hostile to us and constantly harassed by the collective West."

A meeting was apparently held in Moscow on December 23 to discuss the possibility of a transfer to Asia, which covers 75% of Russia's land mass.

Russia is one of UEFA's 55 member associations and was scheduled to host the 2022 Champions League final in St Petersburg until the match was moved to Paris following the invasion of Ukraine.

No nation has previously resigned from UEFA, but there is precedent for the AFC in terms of accepting countries from outside the confederation.

Australia now participates as an Asian nation after joining in 2006 following their resignation from the Oceania Football Confederation, although this has nothing to do with a globally condemned military conflict. Conversely Israel, a geographically Asian nation, plays in UEFA for political reasons.

Russia hopes that sympathetic Asian countries will support its candidacy, including China, Iran and North Korea.

Last week, Iran's Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, told Russian state media that preparations were underway for friendlies in 2023.

However, any Russian bid to join the AFC would need to be initially approved by the AFC Executive Committee before being put to a vote by the full membership. The AFC Executive Committee will then meet on January 20, while the next AFC Congress will take place at the end of the month.

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