UEFA moves to keep Ukrainian and Belarusian football teams apart

The decision made on Friday was made due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. Reports imply that Belarus has served as the proprietor for military operations against the Kyiv government.

Russia's behaviour has been deemed unacceptable as it invaded and attacked its neighbouring country Ukraine which is why several global sanctions were imposed on Russia, including the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Amidst ongoing unrest, Russia was helped by its neighbouring country Belarus. Although UEFA has banned Russia, Belarus has not been sanctioned yet. On the other hand, as Ukraine and Belarus are allowed to participate in UEFA competitions, the European governing body decided not to draw the two countries together. 

Russia and Belarus posing a threat to the world of sports?

Considering the hostility depicted by both nations, it would be better to keep them away from each other as it could reflect their aggression on the pitch. In a statement, UEFA declared, "Today's further decision is made to ensure the smooth running of UEFA competitions as the safety and security of the teams, officials and other participants may not be fully guaranteed due to the existence of a military conflict." The UEFA Executive Committee will remain on standby, awaiting future meetings to reassess the legal and factual situation. Accordingly, other decision-making will be done.

Tennis and football are two areas where the countries have banned.

Teams from Russia and Ukraine were already banned from being drawn against each other before the problems surfaced. Due to the invasion, Russian teams have since been banned outright from all UEFA events. UEFA also declared that Belarusian football clubs and the national team should play all their home matches in UEFA competitions at neutral venues without any spectators. The invasion has exempted Russia and Belarus from participating in multiple sports because Moscow invaded Ukraine. 

In April, tennis players from Russia and Belarus were banned from playing this year's Wimbledon tournament due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. In March, the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided against suspending FIFA's ban on Russia from taking part in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup finals over the invasion. The Football Union of Russia had appealed against the FIFA suspension to bring back Russia into the game. They could have faced Poland in a World Cup playoff earlier scheduled on March 24.