The Ukrainian Football Association has sent an official letter to FIFA, the AFC, UEFA, and the Jordanian Football Association regarding the facts of Russian teams participating in international friendly matches, as well as a planned match between the men's national teams of Jordan and Russia, scheduled for September 4, 2025, in Moscow.

The letter highlights the ban imposed by FIFA and UEFA in February 2022 regarding Russian teams' participation in international competitions. This position, supported by the entire global football community, remains valid and is a significant show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

«The brutal occupation war continues. Russia kills peaceful Ukrainians every day. Conducting international matches involving representatives of the aggressor country is a direct violation not only of the decisions of governing bodies but also of fundamental principles of humanity, peace, and respect for life.»

The UAF expresses particular concern regarding recent matches that have already taken place or were announced:

— January 21, 2025 — a friendly match between Russia's Zenit and Jordan's national team in Qatar;

— February 26, 2025 — a match between women's national teams of Russia and Jordan in the UAE.

The most troubling is the planned match between men's national teams scheduled to take place in Moscow, as conducting such games on the territory of a state-terrorist entity is unacceptable from both moral and political perspectives.

The Ukrainian Football Association urges all parties to immediately take appropriate measures to prevent further violations of FIFA and UEFA decisions and preserve the unity of the football family in opposition to war and aggression.

Official Letter from UAF to FIFA, AFC, UEFA, and Jordanian Football Association

«The decision made by the FIFA Council and UEFA Executive Committee in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which prohibits Russian national teams and clubs from participating in international competitions under the auspices of FIFA or UEFA, remains valid and must be supported by all members of the World Football Community. However, according to open sources, for certain reasons, the Jordanian Football Association has invited Russian teams to participate in friendly matches this year, and recently announced plans to travel to Moscow for a match between men's national teams scheduled for September 4, 2025.

This refers to a friendly match between Jordan's national team and Russia's Zenit club (St. Petersburg), which was announced on January 21, 2025, to be held at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Qatar, as well as a match between women's national teams of Russia and Jordan that took place on February 26, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates. However, the planned match between men's national teams on the territory of a state-terrorist entity exceeds all previously mentioned.

As part of the global football family and representing the Ukrainian people, we draw your attention to the fact that the brutal occupation war is STILL ONGOING, and Russians kill dozens of peaceful Ukrainians every day, including children, in cities and villages throughout our country — remaining unpunished. Supporting Russian football through participation in matches with teams from an aggressor state directly contradicts the unified position of the global football community regarding human values and solidarity, as well as ignores the mentioned ban by governing bodies on the participation of all Russian teams in the international football environment.

In this regard, we respectfully urge FIFA, AFC, and our colleagues from the Jordanian Football Association to take note of our appeal and take appropriate measures to prevent further participation of any teams from the aggressor state in international matches, as this is a gross violation of the unified position of the football family and the global desire for peace and value of every human life.

We sincerely hope for your understanding and cooperation.»