Russia’s bid to host Euro 2028 could be rejected under existing tournament bid rules if it is deemed to have brought European football into disrepute.
The country on Wednesday made a stunning expression of interest in hosting the tournament – or the following finals in 2032 – despite its national teams and clubs being banned from UEFA and FIFA competitions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s move means it’s rivaling a bid by Britain and Ireland to host the finals in 2028, at least for now.
🏟️ UEFA has received expressions of interest in hosting the 2028 and 2032 editions of UEFA EURO from four potential applicants after today’s deadline.
🗓️ The hosts for both tournaments will be named in September 2023.
— UEFA (@UEFA) March 23, 2022
As things stand at present, the Russian Football Union has not been suspended by UEFA, so it was able to express its interest in the bid. Senior UEFA officials have expressed to the PA news agency their hope that the bid will be rejected quickly and there may be an opportunity to reject it within the organisation’s bid rules for finals and final tournaments.
Article 16, which governs ethics, states: “Each bidder must ensure that it does not act in a manner which would prejudice UEFA, the UEFA final or the UEFA finals, any other bidder (or any employee, officer or any representative of any of the foregoing) could bring ) the bid process or European football into disrepute.”
UEFA said on Wednesday that its Executive Committee “remains on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings… to reassess the legal and factual situation as it develops and take further decisions as necessary”. The next scheduled meeting of the committee is June 7th.
If the committee voted to suspend the FUR on this or any other date, the Russian bid would also violate Article 11 of the regulations, which only allows bids from federations that have not been suspended, expelled or dissolved.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already scorned the offer, calling it “beyond satire”.
Johnson’s spokesman had to reiterate that the Prime Minister was “fully committed” to backing Britain and Ireland’s bid on Thursday after appearing to back the idea of televising the tournament to Ukraine.
“We remain unequivocally committed to the UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028, which retains the Government’s full support,” said the Prime Minister’s official spokesman.
The spokesman added that the Prime Minister would “very much” welcome it if UEFA excluded Russia from hosting the tournament.
“All kinds of sports federations have taken responsible measures to ban Russia from their competitions,” the spokesman said.
The UK and Ireland bid for UEFA Euro 2028 has the full support of this government.
Our world-class stadiums and passionate fans are ready to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Let’s bring football home. https://t.co/QWTL3muayA
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 23, 2022
“They shouldn’t be able to enter global tournaments or have the prestige of entering global tournaments.
“It’s not because we want to punish the Russian people, it’s simply because it’s another way to pressure (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to reverse course and change course.”
Johnson initially said: “I think the idea of Russia now hosting any football tournament or any cultural event goes beyond satire.
“I can’t believe anyone would seriously consider their proposal and obviously the best thing would be for the entire Russian armed forces to withdraw from Ukraine immediately and leave the tournament to them.”
It appeared Britain and Ireland’s bids would face no opposition ahead of the shock entry of Russia and a subsequent submission of long-term contenders Turkey before UEFA’s Wednesday night deadline.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2020/russias-euros-bid-could-be-blocked-if-found-to-have-brought-game-into-disrepute-41484019.html Russia’s euro bid could be blocked if it is found to have discredited Wild