Chairman of the Committee on Physical Culture and Sports of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Dmitry Svishchev called on officials of the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) to stop fulfilling the political order of their owners, and to pay attention to the problems in their country.

On Thursday, the UAF officially asked the International Football Federation (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to cancel the friendly match between the national teams of Russia and Serbia, which is scheduled to take place in Russia in March 2024.

— This is generally surprising: where is Ukraine, and where is the Russia-Serbia friendly match? There were no Ukrainians anywhere near here. Reminds me of the famous cartoon “Baba Yaga Against!” Whatever you do, Ukraine will still be against it, because it is Russia. And the match, I am sure, will take place. It’s a pity that so far officials from FIFA and UEFA cannot muster up the courage to make a final decision to stop everything and return our teams.

But I am sure that these times will definitely pass and our team will be returned to all tournaments. FIFA and UEFA should follow the example of other sports federations that have returned Russia to all competitions, including the World Cup. Both the flag and the anthem are allowed. Ukrainians are against it for the first two days, but then everyone agrees with everything.

It seems to me that officials from the UAF should pay attention to the problems of Ukrainian football, of which there are many now. Children’s and youth football, clubs, national team. Why are they all looking at our team? They spy, eavesdrop, monitor… I have a feeling that they are simply fulfilling the political order of their masters and sponsors,” the Match TV website quotes Svishchev.

This match could be the first for the Russian national team against a national team from Europe since the ban from participation in international competitions in February 2022. Previously, the Serbian national team reached the final part of Euro 2024.