Russia’s transition from Europe to Asia is still not happening: the reasons for the transition, who was against it, what will happen next, what does it mean
At the end of the year, the RFU almost turned all of Russian football upside down: after the World Cup in the house in Taganka, he seriously began discussing the turn of Europe towards Asia. Discussions of the emergence were sharp and rather dubious: the sensations of what was acceptable varied from “what is happening and I wanted to believe that this was a bluff” to “is everything decided” – the words of Russian football officials are so convincing.
The RFU met several times: on December 27, after the meeting of the council of the executive committee, they took more time to think and discuss, on the 30th of the day they nevertheless stated that the decision would be mandatory – a working group would be created to work it out.
So we will meet the New Year detached, but with faith in the future.
UEFA for Asia. Is it really worth it?
The RFS was in such a hurry?
Dyukov said that the “window of opportunity” for the RFU is open only until December 31 – before this date, it was necessary to send a notification letter to UEFA in order to start the process. This is because exit from UEFA is possible only for the financial year, which just ends on December 31 – before that, all financial obligations must be closed.
![UEFA flag UEFA flag](https://img.championat.com/i/y/m/16724091161249640426.jpg)
UEFA flag
Photo: Getty Images
Was the transition even possible?
Yes, but only available from UEFA. But most importantly, where was the preliminary dialogue with FIFA – after all, it was the organization that banned us from participating in the selection for the World Cup. How the RFU was going to develop abruptly and immediately after the World Cup, when everyone is resting, is still unclear – lawyer Mikhail Prokopets quite emotionally, but clearly laid out the situation: “It is not clear why we endure that the political decision of FIFA is due to the fact that we let’s change the confederation – even if we are in Europe, even in Asia, even in Oceania. This is the key point. There is a chance that there is no going back. This requires a conscious decision. Everyone is right, what are they doing?
Were Asia ready to receive us?
According to Dyukov, yes. The AFC has 47 member states that accept the remaining natural rights – even if Japan, Australia and a few other countries opposed, there would certainly be 24 countries that would agree to accept the new federation. The consent of FIFA is not required for this – the clause on the coordination of an international organization is not in the regulations.
What arguments were put forward for the transition?
There were several:
- “Better to play than not to play.” The president of the RFU himself spoke about this: in his opinion, a soldier without a flag and an anthem is better than living without football at all. This argument was the prevailing one;
- “We don’t leave now – we will miss the 2026 World Cup.” At the same time, Dyukov said today that we had no guarantee of participation in the selection of the 2026 World Cup from Asia. “Letters of guarantee are not accepted, but there is no reason not to trust,” he said;
- “Who knows how long the ban will last”;
- “In Europe, they themselves turned away from us.”
The main argument for moving to Asia is fake. “Better to play than not to play” doesn’t work
Who opposed the transition of Russia to the AFC?
According to all the sensations, until the end of the discovery with such an outcome was not even in the upper part of Russian football – simply because with such turns you can not act abruptly and thoughtlessly. The fate of Russian football is at a crossroads without any plan and accurate research on the consequences, but with a clear deadline of December 31st.
![Alexander Dyukov Alexander Dyukov](https://img.championat.com/i/b/p/16724091382012705662.jpg)
Alexander Dyukov
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, Championship
Among the information clubs, there was not much agreement, although Dyukov said that most of the information was about security. The deputies (Roman Teryushkov, Irina Rodnina and Nikolai Valuev, for example) came out more actively for the transition.
About their opposite position of the people of football: Andrey Arshavin, Mikhail Gershkovich, Vyacheslav Koloskov, Roman Shirokov, Evgeny Giner, Oleg Romantsev. UEFA did not particularly like the idea of the transition: according to the sources of the “Championship”, the organization did not want to agree to the arrival of Russia, which is an essential part of the market for the organization.
The discussions of Russia’s transition to the AFC were especially disliked in Japan and Australia. Former director of Australian football Bonita Merciades even spoke publicly: “The presence of Russia in UEFA or the AFC does not play any role in the main issue, which is natural in that Russia should be banned from international competitions. They do not respect human rights and established rules of order. Thus, Russia has deprived itself of the right to be part of the international sports community. raised the question of FIFA, why should they still not deprive Russia of membership in the organization.
“It will make it harder for us to qualify for the World Cup.” In Asia, not everyone is enthusiastic about Russia’s idea to leave UEFA
RFU eventually turned around?
One could say – because common sense still prevailed: you can’t apply decisions that are made so strongly and without any restrictions. But it’s not only that. For the past few days, the RFU has been actively and tensely communicating with UEFA about the position of Russian football. Conclusions, as they say, let’s do it ourselves.
Dyukov said that two models were proposed: “create a group or vote for an immediate change of confederation,” and the majority supported the first option.
“We’ll have three months to change everything.” RFU boss’s historic speech on Europe and Asia
The big question is what’s next for us?
Now he will start his own working research group, but even now we can say that there will definitely not be any transitions for the next year – it is possible only at the end of the financial year. Much will depend on the development of the geopolitical situation, but on the success there is a great confidence that the group will not find sufficient arguments in favor of moving to Asia.
![Alexander Dyukov Alexander Dyukov](https://img.championat.com/i/j/x/16724090861290856323.jpg)
Alexander Dyukov
RFU President
“The purpose of this working group is to return club and national teams to the international level, to create a working map. The group must be formed after the holidays. Prior agreement by UEFA to create an achieved group. The roadmap should be developed by the end of April. Soon we will decide who exactly – we or UEFA – will propose to enter the group of representatives of the IOC or FIFA.
At the same time, according to Dyukov, he is not ready to wait for the return of Russian football to Europe for a long time. His goal is the 2026 World Cup.