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| APYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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FIFA coach Gianni Infantino's remarks mentioned the possibility of Russia's early return.
At the UEFA General Assembly held in Belgrade, Serbia on the 3rd (Korea time), Infantino said, `A peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine is in progress' and `We hope that Russia will return to soccer as soon as possible. Because then everything will be solved.'
FIFA and UEFA suspended the membership of the Russian Football Association after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. In response, the Russian Football Association appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the disposition was recognized. In 2023, UEFA lifted Russia's ban on participation only for national teams under the age of 17, but it was nullified due to resistance from member states.
In order for Russia to regain its UEFA membership, it needs the approval of a majority of the executive members. In response, UEFA President Aleksander Cheperin said "When the war ends, Russia will be able to come back."
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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After the suspension of UEFA membership, Russia is proceeding with its own league schedule without participating in international competitions as well as European competitions. After the disciplinary action, foreign players who played in the Russian Premier League were exceptionally allowed to transfer to other leagues. Hwang In-beom, who played for Rubin Kazan, moved to Olympiacos (Greece) after a short-term transfer to FC Seoul under this exception.
From FIFA's point of view, since Russia has a member status like other countries, there is nothing that cannot be returned if the war is resolved. However, as at the time of the withdrawal of the U-17 disciplinary termination in 2023, it is unclear whether UEFA will return through the executive committee, given that negative member states remain in Russia.
Ahead of the UEFA General Assembly, FIFA came up with a plan to increase the number of participating countries in the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64. The goal is to increase commercial profits such as TV broadcasting rights through expansion of participating countries and to expand the soccer industry through this. However, the majority are paying attention to whether FIFA's move is for China, which has a huge market. Expectations for commercial benefits from the increase in the number of games are high while the number of participating countries will be expanded from 32 to 48 at the 2026 North-China competition, while concerns remain over a decline in the quality of the competition and an increase in athlete fatigue. In the meantime, UEFA is not hiding its discomfort as FIFA came up with the idea of expanding the number of participating countries again. At a press conference after the Belgrade General Assembly, Chairman Cheperin said, "(FIFA made such a decision) about FIFA's proposal. an absurd idea."
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
