UEFA will not recognize any matches played by Crimean clubs “in the context of competitions organized by the Russian Football Union,” they announced on Friday. The decision was made by the UEFA Emergency Panel, which convened specifically to decide on the footballing status of Crimean clubs.
UEFA will not recognize Crimean clubs playing in Russian competitions
Russia, Ukraine and the Crimean clubs will have decisions to make.
Buda Mendes
Russia and Ukraine have been in dispute over Crimea since February. The region was originally considered part of Ukraine and its football clubs competed as part of the Football Federation of Ukraine, but with Russia absorbing Crimea, several clubs have begun to compete as part of the Russian Football Union.
Now, the Crimean clubs and the Russian Football Union will have decisions to make. UEFA has decided not to recognize matches played under current circumstances, putting their status in Russia in doubt.
The Emergency Panel has asked UEFA and FIFA officials to meet with the Football Federation of Ukraine and Russian Football Union to come up with a solution to the current problem. FIFA has not yet ruled on the Crimean situation and the region’s standing before the international federation is still unclear.
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