Ukrainian media reacted with anger this week after a Russian news outlet reported that UEFA has provisionally reserved places for Russian football clubs in European competitions for the 2027/28 season, more than four years after Russian clubs were suspended over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The report came from the Russian portal lenta.ru, which detailed how many Russian teams could be let back into UEFA's three club tournaments next season.
Ukraine's reaction
The Ukrainian outlet Sport.ua responded with an article describing it as a shameful decision by UEFA regarding Russian clubs, saying it was the first such move since the start of the full-scale war. According to Sport.ua, UEFA's published access list gives Russia four potential slots: the Russian champion would enter Champions League qualifying, the Russian Cup winner would enter Europa League qualifying, and the second and third placed clubs in the Russian Premier League would enter Europa Conference League qualifying.
Sport.ua added that the listing does not automatically mean Russian clubs will return. UEFA continues to suspend Russian teams from its competitions, and a final decision on their participation will depend on the organization's future position, the outlet said.
Why Russia is still ranked
The number of places quoted is based on Russia's standing in UEFA's current club coefficient ranking, which determines how many teams each country sends into European competition. Russia has not been removed from that ranking, but has earned no points over the past four years and has fallen to 30th place.
UEFA suspended Russian clubs, along with the Russian national team, from all its competitions in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League are UEFA's three annual club tournaments, contested by teams that qualify through their domestic leagues and cups.
Whether or not Russian clubs actually return, Ukrainian outlets note that the three competitions would look different with Russian teams back in the draw.
