Slovakia fights in the playoffs for the U21 2023 European Football Championship, Russia cannot play
BRATISLAVA. The European Football Union (UEFA) on Monday extended the national scope of sanctions for Russian teams and clubs for Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine.
Sanctions did not bypass the under-21 national team, which played in the joint qualifying group ME 2023 with Slovakia.
And it is Slovakia that can benefit from this situation, as it ranked 3rd in Group C with a significant loss to Spain and Russia. However, sanctions have significantly changed the situation in the group.
“Russia did not play its two matches during the March Association deadline against Malta (March 25) and Northern Ireland (March 29) due to a temporary suspension. Russia will not start the next match in qualifying and all its results so far are considered invalid. The C-group will continue as a five-member group, “the UEFA opinion reads, citing it futbalsfz.sk.
The coach of the Slovak under-21 national team, Jaroslav Kentoš, also commented on the situation.
“Disaster is a disaster for all of us in the first place, we will not find anything good in it. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected every area of life and sport, in our situation specifically football, not to mention. The UEFA Executive Committee and thus opens up a chance for us to fight for the victory of Europe through playoffs, “said Kentoš.
“Even after this decision, UEFA will continue to focus on ourselves, on our performances and in preparation for the final qualifying match in Malta (June 3 – note),” he added.
The Slovaks were to join Russia during the June association term. In the first match, the Russians lost 0: 3.