The second in command at European soccer’s governing physique has apologised after Sky News revealed how he voted to finish a blanket ban on Russia’s groups competing in continental competitions – contradicting the robust stance of the Swedish sports activities physique he leads.
UEFA’s first vice chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson initially sought to dispute our report of the contentious government committee choice that disclosed he surprisingly backed the readmission of Russia’s under-17s groups.
Sky’s reporting led to elevated scrutiny in Sweden the place he led the soccer federation till earlier this 12 months, when he left to turn into chair of the Swedish Sports Confederation.
The confederation opposes Russians competing in worldwide sports activities occasions whereas the struggle on Ukraine continues – as does the Swedish FA.
As hosts of the ladies’s U17s European Championship, Sweden stated it could not permit Russia to take part there.
On Friday, Mr Nilsson responded to our report by telling Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen: “I do not recognise myself at all in the British media description of (UEFA’s executive committee’s) handling of the issue.”
But in a brand new assertion by the Swedish Sports Confederation, Mr Nilsson admits he backed Russia’s pathway to enjoying in Europe once more.
He stated: “I am sorry that my position in UEFA, and the decision there, have been interpreted as that I do not, as a representative of the Swedish Sports Confederation and the Swedish sports movement, continue to stand for our common stance. I do.
“However, I perceive that UEFA needs to evaluate whether or not we now have thought accurately from the kids’s perspective, so we exclude the chance that we permit kids to be punished for, on this case, merciless wars and acts of violence that adults are liable for.”
His assertion of remorse nonetheless gave a special interpretation of the UEFA choice which, Sky News revealed, solely two of the governing physique’s 5 vice presidents backed.
He implied it wasn’t a closing choice however UEFA acknowledged it was.
Mr Nilsson stated: “In the discussions in UEFA, I chose to approve the decision to start an investigation into the forms to open up for children from Russia to participate in competitions internationally based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Of course, the investigation should take note of each the way it impacts the potential of a protected and safe atmosphere for youngsters from Russia and for youngsters from different international locations who will face Russian groups.”
Mr Nilsson claimed “UEFA will vote on the issue” as soon as the “investigation” is accomplished.
He added: “Before that decision, I will of course put forward the position of the Swedish Sports Confederation, the Swedish Football Association and the Swedish sports movement”
But the UEFA assertion stated the choice was extra definitive than that, setting out a subsequent step being extra technical round becoming Russia’s groups into U17s males’s and girls’s qualifying which begins this month.
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UEFA stated after Tuesday’s assembly in Cyprus: “The UEFA executive committee has decided that Russian teams of minor players will be readmitted to its competitions in the course of this season.
“In this respect, the manager committee has requested the UEFA administration to suggest a technical answer that may allow the reinstatement of the Russian U17 groups (each women and boys) even when attracts have already been held.
“All matches of the Russian teams shall be played without the country flag, anthem, national playing kit and not on the Russian territory.”
Ukraine’s soccer chiefs wrote to nationwide associations throughout Europe on Thursday, urging them to boycott all matches in opposition to Russians as a nominally impartial aspect.
But the UEFA management is known to be privately mentioning to soccer officers’ inconsistencies within the opposition to letting Russia again into youth championships.
They are highlighting how the Ukrainian sports activities ministry softened its stance in July – successfully ending the ban on athletes collaborating at most occasions the place Russians had been competing.
Sky News revealed final week that the assembly dialogue took some on UEFA’s government committee abruptly.
The main opposition was understood to have come within the assembly from three UEFA vice presidents – former Manchester United chief government David Gill, together with former Wales participant and Sport Wales chair Laura McAllister, and former Polish federation head Zbigniew Boniek.
UEFA has declined to touch upon the voting course of.
Source: information.sky.com”