Russia could be blocked from competing with UK and Turkey for Euro 2028
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 March 2022
Russia’s bid to host Euro 2028 could be stopped under current bidding regulations if it is believed to have brought the tournament into disrepute.
The UK government have called for Russia to be taken out of the race to host Euro 2028 after they made a surprise entry alongside the UK, Turkey and a joint bid from Romania, Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia.
The UK and Ireland were expected to win with no bids from any other nation expected. However, there are at least three bidders for Euro 2028 alongside another three expressing interest.
In a shocking turn of events, Russia did the unthinkable and declared their interest in staging the competition - as well as the next one in 2032 on Wednesday - despite being banned from football competitions all over the world by FIFA and UEFA for their invasion of Ukraine.
Article 16, governing ethics reveals: "Each bidder shall ensure that it does not act in a manner that could bring UEFA, the UEFA final or UEFA final phase, any other bidder (or any employee, officer or representative of any of the foregoing), the bidding procedure or European football into disrepute."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has slammed the idea of Russia winning the rights and even appeared to support Ukraine over the UK and Ireland's bid. However, a spokesperson for the PM confirmed he and the government were firmly behind the UK and Ireland's bid.
"Clearly we remain entirely committed to the UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028 which retains the Government's full backing," the Prime Minister's official spokesperson said.
"All sorts of sporting bodies have taken responsible action in removing Russia from their competitions," the spokesperson continued.
"They should not be able to compete or have the prestige of taking part in global tournaments.
"This is not because we want to punish the Russian people, it is simply because it is another way of putting pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to reverse his course and change tack."
Johnson had previously stated: "I think the idea of Russia holding any football tournament or any kind of cultural event right now is beyond satire.
"I can't believe anybody would seriously consider their suggestion and the best thing possible would be for the entire Russian armed forces to retire forthwith from Ukraine and hand the tournament to them, of course."
No response by UEFA yet
UEFA have not yet issued a response to the Russian intent. Turkey, meanwhile, confirmed their decision to bid to host Euro 2028 later in the day.
The five associations of the UK earlier released a joint statement declaring their "unprecedented" bid to bring the Euros back to British shores as an exclusive host for the first time since 1996.
"With this unique partnership, we are taking the appropriate next steps and our ambition is to stage a successful UEFA Euro which will be a wonderful celebration of football for fans and teams," said the statement.
"We believe Euro 2028 would be one of the greatest sporting events ever held in the UK and Ireland.
"This unprecedented partnership of five associations offers something special to European football, including the potential for an expanded tournament, and we are passionate about maximising the sustainability and legacy benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland.
"Over the coming months, we will develop our proposals further, subject to the publication by UEFA of the full technical specification. This includes engaging in discussions with possible host cities and stadia to define the optimum tournament model and conducting a full costs and benefits analysis.
"The UK and Ireland will offer an unrivalled tournament from a technical perspective - with modern, well-connected stadia and excellent infrastructure - that makes our partnership ideal to host Euro 2028."
Despite the optimism, though, Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee, implored caution, warning Wembley's poor safety precautions at Euro 2020 games may well count against the bid - as well as the FA's insistence to make Liverpool and Manchester City fans travel to London for their FA Cup semi-final when there are no trains running.
"I really welcome this bid - it's a lot more realistic than any attempt to get the World Cup. However, we shouldn't kid ourselves," he told the PA news agency.
"The FA's management of the Euro 2020 finals nearly ended in tragedy and we are seeing through the idiocy of making fans of Liverpool and Man City traipse to London with no trains just how woeful the decision-making is at the FA more generally.
"We need to be sure that, should we host the Euros, that the FA is up to the job, and I'm not sure, to be honest."
