The 46th Congress of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) took place in Vienna and discussed a range of important issues. 

Before the start of the meeting, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin gave the floor to European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, who reminded delegates at the congress about the current situation in Ukraine. Mr. Schinas strongly condemned Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, thanked UEFA for supporting the Ukrainian football community and approved sanctions imposed on football teams from the aggressor country.

In his next speech, he was supported by Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Arts, Culture and Sports Werner Kogler. 

"This year February has been extraordinarily unusual, so this congress should be extraordinary as well. February marked the beginning of war in Ukraine, which undoubtedly is one that violates international law, is barbaric and criminal. It brought immense humanitarian catastrophe, tragedy and death to many people.

In particular, at this congress delegates from Ukraine cannot attend personally due to the war. Therefore, my special welcome goes out to the Ukrainian delegates. I hope for a swift end to the fire and return of peace and freedom to your country. We must work together to give Ukrainians hope for a better future both in life and in football.

As support, the Austrian Ministry of Sport will pay membership fees for those Ukrainians who found themselves in our country during the war and expressed a desire to engage in football or other sports within Austrian club associations. We have already taken in students from the Zaporizhzhia Football Academy in our country and provided them with all opportunities for training and accommodation. I know that similar initiatives exist in other UEFA member countries, and I am pleased about this. Because it is a sign of solidarity and hope. I am convinced that freedom and democracy are stronger than dictatorship and tyranny," — said Werner Kogler.

We remind you that the 46th UEFA Congress was attended remotely by a delegation from the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) led by its president, UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko.