FIFA allows Russian youth teams to participate in World Cup, but there's catch
FIFA will allow youth national teams of Russia to the World Cup, but there is a nuance (Photo: Getty Images)
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has allowed Russian athletes under the age of 17 to participate in international competitions, according to FIFA's press service.
In particular, Russian juniors will be allowed to participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
"This is conditional on these teams playing under the name of the 'Football Union of Russia' rather than 'Russia', in the absence of their national flag, their national anthem, their national-team kit and equipment, and instead playing in neutral colours," the press service writes.
At the same time, the FIFA council reaffirms its condemnation of the unlawful war initiated by Russian terrorists and notes that the rest of the conditions adopted on February 28, 2022, remain in effect until the end of hostilities.
What led to this
UEFA recently allowed youth teams from Russia to return to competitions. Now, U-17 teams will be able to compete on the international stage again. The union justified this decision by expressing concern for underage footballers.
"UEFA is also aware that children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults and is firmly convinced that football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope. It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football," UEFA stated on its website.
