Football Russia looks to Asia: farewell to UEFA to circumvent the ban linked to the war in Ukraine – Football

Goodbye Europethe Russia is getting closer to the transition toAsia. Football-wise. Given the still active tender of the Uefa against the Russian Federation, excluded from qualifying for Euro 2024 in Germany, as well as a ban on clubs from participating in European competitions following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Alexander Dyukovpresident of the Russian Football Federation, is considering joining the AFC with ever more conviction, theAsian Football Confederation.

Russia, friendlies against Iran and Iraq

Despite recent statements by Denis Rogachev, deputy general secretary of the Russian Football Federation, who had opened the hypothesis of dialogue with Fifa and UEFA for a return to competition of the ousted clubs, the attempt to move towards Asia is becoming more and more concrete. The friendlies organized against are no coincidence Iran (played on Thursday and finished 1-1, the Torino player scored Miranchuk for Russia) andIraqscheduled for next Sunday. In addition, the national team coach Karpinwho had already played tests against in the winter Tajikistan And Uzbekistanwas invited to the inaugural tournament organized by CAFA (Central Asian Football Federation) next summer with Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and an eighth team still to be chosen.

Russia in Asian football, because it is possible

The geographical transfer would not be an absolute novelty for Russian sport: not even a month ago, in fact, at the beginning of March, the Russian Chess Federation (a discipline in which there are great champions) formalized the passage to Asia. A “checkmate” that could be emulated by football, even if this would mean big economic losses especially for clubs like CSKA Moscow And Zenit St. Petersburgwhich should definitely say goodbye to Champions League.