The UEFA President said that Russian football players will not yet be able to return to international competitions. According to Alexander Ceferin, this is due to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

The head of UEFA noted that the organization was subject to significant political pressure after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, Ceferin emphasized that he does not like boycotts and considers it wrong when athletes suffer because of the decisions of politicians.

“In a way, it’s sad that Russian athletes haven’t been able to play for four years, but now it’s simply impossible to make a different decision,” Ceferin said on the Youtube channel The Rest Is Politics: Leading and The Rest Is Football He also said that the vast majority of athletes do not support the war, but entire generations of players are suffering due to the suspension. At the same time, Ceferin believes that young Russian football players should not be held responsible for the decisions of the Russian authorities.

" How is it their fault that this guy started this terrible war, and yet these 17 year olds cannot participate in youth competitions? "

Ceferin added that senior Russian national teams and clubs will not be able to return to UEFA tournaments until the end of the war. " And it will be like this until the war ends,” he noted..

The head of the European Football Union also expressed hope for a quick end to the war.. According to him, UEFA has been counting on a cessation of hostilities for four years now..