The UEFA Executive Committee has caused debate with its decision to lift the exclusion of Russian junior teams. Hans-Joachim Watzke and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge defend it
On Tuesday, the UEFA Executive Committee had decided to allow Russian youth teams to participate in European competitions again. While some nations have already announced a boycott of such matches, the DFB has so far not commented on the matter. However, it is now clear that German exco representatives Hans-Joachim Watzke and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge voted in favour of reinstatement at the meeting in Cyprus.
“This is definitely not a softening of our negative stance towards Russia, on the contrary: the adult teams remain excluded,” DFB vice-president and BVB boss Watzke told Bild. “This is about children who can’t do anything about the heinous war and in whose lives no political will has been formed. Besides, they wouldn’t be playing under the Russian flag! Hence this assessment, mind you, knowing that various conditions would have to be met anyway for things to be implemented. “
Rummenigge: “Children are the victims of war “
Rummenigge also defends the decision, which among other things stipulates that Russian teams would have to compete without an anthem and flag. “Children are the victims of war,” said the FC Bayern supervisory board member. “They are innocent and in need of help, bear no responsibility for this war and they should not be punished additionally. That’s why I voted ‘yes’ to allow them to play again.”
England, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Ukraine, on the other hand, have made it clear they would not play Russian teams. The Ukrainian Football Association condemned the UEFA decision “in the strongest possible terms” and called on other associations to boycott. There could be a DFB statement after the Extraordinary DFB Bundestag on Friday afternoon.
