Sports policy: Russia question back on the football agenda

The agenda at the UEFA Congress does not make Bernd Neuendorf off the stool. The DFB boss in Belgrade expects many formalities, many applications. But Neuendorf also knows that explosive topics are being negotiated behind the scenes – including the politically sensitive Russia question. And the top German official has a clear opinion.

A return of the Russian football teams to international competitions is no longer a taboo for many officials in contrast to Neuendorf. When Europe’s football politician come together on Wednesday for the meeting of the Executive Committee and on Thursday to the UEFA congress, the topic is smoldering.

The DFB delegation with Neuendorf and DFL boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, who wants to be elected again to the Executive Committee, has to prove itself again in the sports policy network.

What is the Russia question about?

Since the attack war against Ukraine in spring 2022, Russian football teams have been excluded from international competitions, through the UEFA for Europe, through FIFA worldwide. The associations did not sanction the military robbery, but in a sports policy trick, the resulting danger of the “integrity of the competitions”. The games were worried about the “proper process” of the games.

This also only happened at the pressure of some national associations such as Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic. At the time, they threatened to do with boycott if a UEFA and FIFA plan should be implemented that should allow Russian teams without flag and hymn to continue playing.

Why is the topic acute now?

Enable the efforts to do an armistice to be able to talk about a return at all. US President Donald Trump recently even spoke to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin about joint ice hockey games. In contrast to the highly commercialized football competitions, this was certainly more of a effective shot. But of course the forces that reject the exclusion use the little gap that world politics now offers.

How does German football position itself?

In contrast to the question of the World Cup award to Saudi Arabia 2034, which Wedge Neuendorf literally with abdominal pain, no sports policy calculation is (yet) necessary. The DFB boss clearly specified the German course. “The fact is that unfortunately nothing has changed in the starting point that has led to suspension of Russian teams. Russia continues to continue the war of international law against Ukraine,” said the 63-year-old.

First peace, then football, that’s the attitude. “In this respect, debates about a general cancellation of the sanctions are currently unavealing. The situation must first change substantially,” said Neuendorf. This is probably also the majority opinion in the UEFA.

What does the UEFA leaders say?

President Aleksandar Ceferin is also not for an immediate abolition of the spell or it cannot be at the moment. The Slovenian had always said differently. So he is now also for a start permit for youth teams under the age of 18.

His motivation could be multi -layered. In some Eastern European associations and also in his administration, criticism of Russia is less loud. UEFA director Zoran Lakovic traveled to the meeting of the Russian Football Association in Moscow and almost made promises there. The UEFA boss must also meet these currents.

In general, football likes to hide behind the IOC’s leading function anyway. As long as there is no signal from the Olympic umbrella organization, one can refer to those. FIFA and President Gianni Infantino as a former Putin friend will also be confronted with the question at his own congress on May 15 in Asunción (Paraguay). Participation in Russia in the already ongoing qualification for the 2026 World Cup currently appears unrealistic.

What happens in Russia?

A return to international sport, especially in football, is used to re -efficiency in the national media. Sometimes it is national coach Waleri Karpin who considers the time to come. Sometimes association leader Alexander Djukow sees a positive development in international relationships. In February, his re -election in Russia – albeit briefly and briefly – was also reported on the official UEFA homepage.

The top official also sits with Watzke in the executive committee of the continental association. In 2021 before the start of the war, he was elected for four years. But he doesn’t run again now. Probably because of low chances. The Russian return project would rather damage a symbolic defeat on the UEFA election tour.