During today's meeting, the UEFA Executive Committee removed from consideration the issue of admitting Russian U-17 teams to competitions organized by the organization. Thus, our country’s position, which the Ukrainian Football Association addressed to UEFA and all member associations — its members — was heard. Russian football remains in isolation, where it belongs.

We remind that immediately after the UEFA Executive Committee on September 26 "turned to the UEFA administration with a request to propose a technical solution that would allow restoring Russian U-17 teams (both girls and boys), even if the draw has already taken place," the UAF promptly issued a statement condemning such an initiative and stating it would boycott competitions in which representatives of the aggressor country participate. Also, the UAF addressed all member national associations of UEFA with a request to support the boycott of Russian teams on the international stage.

"We are very concerned about the situation and in our letter we emphasize that this is unacceptable. I also am part of the UEFA National Teams Committee and do not understand how one can cooperate with Russians or even be in the same room with them. At the last congress, which took place in Portugal, I saw the attitude of almost all participants towards the Russian delegation. There were no greetings — they seemed to be separated from the entire football world. On the international arena, we will make it clear to everyone that the presence of Russians is unacceptable. To break into the world, they use their entire arsenal. We understand that football is a game for millions and one of the most important in the world, and this is very important for them. But I emphasize once again — our position remains the same as we have held since the first days of the war. We hope everyone remembers the map of Ukraine and the 'Glory to Ukraine!' logo on the national team's jerseys. We will always defend our right and fight so that Russia leaves football as soon as possible," — Oleksiy Mykhaylichenko, First Vice President of the UAF, stated in a recent interview with "United News."

Fortunately, Ukraine's position was heard. "We are grateful to all our European partners who supported our protest against admitting Russian teams. I had the opportunity personally to convey our position to colleagues from other countries during the recent UEFA 'Hat-Trick' Committee meeting on October 4. It is important that a country that is a terrorist bears full responsibility for its crimes, including in the football world. There should be no compromises in this matter. We must understand that this may not be the last attempt by Russia to regain its positions on the international football stage. Therefore, we are ready to continue fighting for the continuation of isolation if necessary," — stressed Vadim Kostyuchenko, First Vice President of the UAF.