FIFA and UEFA May Lift Ban on Russian Teams, Says DBU Chairman

Jesper Møller, chairman of the Danish Football Union (DBU), has stated that both FIFA and UEFA are considering overturning the suspension that currently bars Russian clubs and the Russian national team from participating in their competitions.

This ban was imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, preventing Russian teams from competing in FIFA and UEFA tournaments. The sanction was initially introduced after Poland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic refused to play against Russia in World Cup qualifiers.

In 2023, UEFA made an attempt to reintegrate Russian U17 teams into their competitions, but this was met with resistance from European governments and most football associations, who opposed lifting the ban for youth teams.

At that time, Møller, who was part of the UEFA executive committee, had supported the idea of allowing Russia’s U17 teams to compete, citing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Now, Møller has suggested that a return of Russian teams to international competitions could be on the horizon. He mentioned, “What everyone is waiting for now is a congress at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the end of March, where I think this issue will be discussed. It won’t be on FIFA’s agenda until it has been addressed by the IOC.”

Møller further emphasized that while discussions may resume, Denmark’s stance is firm: "Russia will not return until there is a peace agreement."

The political landscape has shifted under U.S. President Donald Trump, with efforts to build closer relations between the U.S. and Russia. However, the European Union continues to distance itself from the Russian regime.