The Ukrainian Football Association sent a letter to the address of UEFA General Secretary Theodor Teodoridis requesting an investigation into the situation regarding the possible participation of a representative from the country-aggressor in the annual meeting of football referees.

"Your unwavering position regarding the war initiated against Ukraine by the Russian terrorist state has been a significant contribution to peace-building and a clear signal to the Ukrainian people that the great football family stands in defense of human values and justice."

UEFA justifiably excluded clubs, national teams, officials, and all football representatives of the Russian federation from competitions for the obvious reason that all citizens of the mentioned terrorist state are equally responsible for the horrific war crimes committed in Ukraine in 2022–2023.

However, we appeal to you with a request to consider another observation regarding the widely reported information about Russian referee Sergei Karashev receiving an invitation to participate in the annual meeting of football referees. This meeting will take place in Switzerland in September and is an official UEFA event for referees who are to be included on lists for working matches under the organization's auspices. The Russian Football Union (RFU) confirmed this invitation, which became the first since February 24, 2022.

We believe that this case is unacceptable in light of UEFA's overall policy regarding citizens of the Russian federation and consider it to be a result of misunderstanding. However, taking advantage of the opportunity, we ask you to provide a comment on this matter, as considering the tragic experience of the Ukrainian state and people, which we gain every day for more than a year now, each episode of possible easing of sanctions against the aggressor is critically sensitive for all of us," — in particular, it states in the letter from the UFA.