Relations between Russian football and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have been complicated lately. National teams and clubs still do not have the opportunity to participate in prestigious tournaments under the auspices of the organization, so periodic conversations about moving to Asia did not arise out of nowhere. And yet, in Nyon they do not want to completely break off relations with Russian football, from time to time making curtsies towards our country. The next step forward should certainly be considered in this context.

UEFA made an exception for Russia, contrary to its own convention. But are European officials ready for fundamental policy changes in relation to our football?

“An extraordinary event”

On Tuesday, December 19, the Russian Football Union (RFU) announced recruitment for training applicants for the Pro-UEFA license. A potential candidate must have a license of at least A-UEFA level, as well as at least 12 months of work experience after obtaining it. Those interested must also undergo two-stage testing. In total, there are 20 places in the group; the cost of the 18-month courses, which start in May 2024, will be 800 thousand rubles.

UEFA has already given permission to the RFU Academy to launch a training group. It would seem that there is nothing strange in all this. But the fact is that, according to the UEFA coaching convention, such courses can be held no more than once every two years, and a year ago Russia already launched training for specialists who want to work on a permanent basis in the major league systems of any European country.

— We announce this set with special feelings. The fact that we received the right, with the approval of UEFA, to conduct training for the next “PRO-UEFA” group a year after the launch of the previous one is an extraordinary event. The UEFA Coaching Convention clearly states that “each party to the Convention has the right to conduct a course for obtaining a UEFA PRO license once every two years.” A lot of work has been done to make an exception for our country. “We thank our colleagues from UEFA for being able to meet us halfway,” the RFU press service quotes the head of the RFU Academy, member of the UEFA Development and Technical Assistance Committee, Irina Baranova.

No breakthroughs

Despite another positive step from UEFA, it is too early to talk about any significant breakthrough. Previously, the Russian U17 women’s team had already taken part in the South Asian Football Federation championship, which was organized by European football officials. Individual judges from our country were invited to the UEFA Judges’ Meeting. But there is no hope yet that the national team will soon be able to play official matches or that the clubs will return to European competition.

Not only will Russia not play at Euro 2024, our national team is not even among the participants in the UEFA Nations League for the 2024/25 season. And this tournament, by the way, is part of the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, concessions in the training of our coaches are, of course, pleasant, but I would still like to see positive changes not only in secondary areas. Moreover, it is quite possible that Alexander Čeferin may very well need any allies in the very near future.

The Russian national team before the start of a friendly match with the Cuban national team / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexander Vilf

Apparently, the initiators of the Super League, taking into account previous mistakes, are going to make a second attempt. If at the first attempt many fans of the most populous country in Europe were against the infighting of top clubs, and the RFU openly supported UEFA, now the situation in our country is not so obvious. It would be strange to stand behind UEFA, remembering all the “gifts” of recent times. But are Ceferin and company ready to give a damn about politics and radically change their attitude towards Russia? So far there is absolutely no certainty about this.