Article by Bogdan Fechită – Published Friday, December 12, 2025 10:43 p.m. / Updated Friday, December 12, 2025 11:14 p.m.
Senior officials in European football are convinced that Russia's reintegration into international competitions, even at junior level, will not be possible until a political solution to the conflict is reached. The information is transmitted by the Irish television RTÉ.
The Olympic Committee recommended on Thursday that young athletes from Russia and Belarus be allowed to compete under their national flags. International federations were also asked to consider ways of implementing this recommendation.
This would represent the most significant step towards Russia's return to international sport since the ban imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA already tried in 2023 to reintegrate Russia
UEFA already considered reintegrating Russia into under-17 competitions in 2023, but later dropped the plan. Skepticism persists in European football about the feasibility of reintroducing Russia, even at junior level.
Although Russia could be readmitted to FIFA and UEFA, sources indicate that as long as the political situation remains unresolved, many countries would still refuse to play against her or even allow her access to their territory.
An agreement on a peace plan has yet to be reached, with Ukraine rejecting the settlement proposal presented by the United States.
IOC: “Athletes should not be held accountable for the actions of their governments”
An IOC statement released on Thursday said young athletes from Russia and Belarus “should not be held accountable for the actions of their governments – for them, sport is a path to hope and a way to show that all athletes can respect the same rules and respect each other.”
The committee also recommended that international sports federations lift the ban on organizing events for Belarus, but maintain the ban on Russia.
