Honorary President of the Russian Football Union (RFU) Vyacheslav Koloskov told that the leaders of world and European football, as well as hockey, do not decide anything for themselves, they follow what politicians tell them.
In February 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) permanently suspended Russian clubs and national teams from participating in tournaments under their auspices. For the third season, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is not allowing Russians to participate in the world championships, citing security concerns as the reason for its decision.
—Who can resolve once and for all the question of the admission of the Russians?
— The presidents of FIFA, UEFA and IIHF do not decide anything. They follow politicians. It may be said that sport is outside politics, but it has long become an instrument of politics.
What happened with the suspension of Russian clubs and national teams? First, the potential finalists of the Champions League in St. Petersburg refused to go to Russia, then the Poles announced their reluctance to play with the Russian team in the World Cup qualifying playoffs, then the Czechs and the Swedes supported this subject. And then everyone didn’t want to play with us.
What should UEFA and FIFA do in such a situation, deprive the refuseniks of three points and award them the defeat? Billions of euros have been spent on the Champions League. If UEFA had completely canceled the final, it would have gone bankrupt because of lawsuits from sponsors and television,” Koloskov told .
Source : MatchTV
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