UEFA allows Russia's U17 teams to participate in competitions

By Can Erozden

UEFA on Tuesday allowed Russian youth teams to participate in its competitions, saying "children should not be punished" for Russia's war on Ukraine.

"... the UEFA Executive Committee has decided that Russian teams of minor players will be readmitted to its competitions in the course of this season," European football's governing body said in a statement.

"In this respect, the Executive Committee has asked the UEFA administration to propose a technical solution that would enable the reinstatement of the Russian U17 teams (both girls and boys) even when draws have already been held. All matches of the Russian teams shall be played without the country flag, anthem, national playing kit and not on the Russian territory," it added.

Moscow launched its war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and all Russian teams, at club and international levels, were barred from UEFA competitions since then.