Russia STILL wants to host Euro 2028 despite international football ban

Russia has declared its interest in rivaling the UK and Ireland for the right to host Euro 2028 despite its current ban from international football.

Russian clubs and national teams are currently suspended by FIFA and UEFA for the country’s invasion of Ukraine, pending the outcome of an appeal by the Russian Football Union to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, that has not stopped the union’s executive committee from backing a bid for 2028 and 2032, with the deadline for expressions of interest set for Wednesday.

A posting on the union’s official website outlined a number of results from Wednesday’s executive committee meeting that included “supporting the decision to declare interest in hosting the 2028 or 2032 European Championships in Russia.”

Reports from Russia had previously quoted an executive committee member, Sergey Anokhin, as indicating an interest in bidding for the tournaments.

Sport Express said that along with the UK and Ireland, there was also a bid from Turkey and a joint bid from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia.

Russia is not giving up its hopes of hosting Euro 2028 despite its ban from international football. In the picture: Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow

Russia’s football union is ‘supporting’ the decision to fight the UK and Ireland for the right to host the tournament.

The UK and Ireland are currently the top favorites to host Euro 2028, and their bid was previously thought to be uncontested.

Russia successfully hosted the 2018 World Cup but has been in exile from the international sporting community since its invasion of Ukraine a month ago, with UEFA already stripping St Petersburg of hosting rights for the Champions League final. male this season.

The team has also been banned from the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar, giving play-off opponents Poland a bye to the final.

The top five federations in the UK and Ireland bid submitted a formal expression of interest to UEFA on Wednesday.

England, Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have confirmed their interest in co-hosting the tournament.

Sportsmail reported last week how the home bid was expected to go unchallenged as Turkey were not expected to enter the race and Russia’s own hopes seemed dashed amid the Ukraine invasion.

Russia is currently facing a lot of uncertainty amid its ban and cannot even play matches after being banned from the upcoming World Cup play-offs.

England will definitely face a challenge from Turkey for Euro 2028 after they put out a bid

However, even if Russia’s offer is rejected by UEFA, England will definitely face a European Championship challenge after Turkey made a U-turn in their intentions.

The country’s football federation released a statement on Wednesday afternoon that said: “The Turkish Football Federation has submitted an official bid application to UEFA for the final phase of the 2028 European Football Championship to be held in Turkey. .

“UEFA will make its decision on the organization of Euro 2028 after evaluating the files of the candidate countries in the next period.”

The host nations’ intention to bid for Euro 2028 was announced on February 7, after a feasibility study concluded that targeting the continental finals was more certain than a bid for the 2030 World Cup, which had been under consideration.

A joint statement from the five associations said: “With this unique partnership, we are taking the appropriate next steps and our ambition is to stage a successful European Championship that will be a wonderful celebration of football for the fans and the teams.”

“We believe that Euro 2028 would be one of the biggest sporting events ever held in the UK and Ireland.

England are hoping for a home tournament after playing several games at Wembley during Euro 2020 last summer.

It would also provide a huge boost for Wales (L) and Scotland (R) in their qualification hopes.

“This unprecedented partnership of five associations offers something special to European football, including the potential for an expanded tournament, and we are passionate about maximizing the sustainability and legacy benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland.

‘Over the coming months, we will continue to develop our proposals, subject to the publication by UEFA of the full technical specifications. This includes engaging in discussions with potential host cities and stadiums to define the optimal tournament model and conducting a full cost benefit analysis.

“The UK and Ireland will offer a tournament that is second to none from a technical perspective, with modern, well-connected stadiums and excellent infrastructure, making our partnership ideal for hosting Euro 2028.”

England had initially been preparing a bid for the 2030 World Cup, before turning its attention to the European Championship after it became clear that UEFA was leaning towards Spain’s joint bid with Portugal.

Fan violence ahead of the Euro 2020 final threatened to derail England’s hopes of hosting a future tournament, but UEFA sees the incident as “unique”.

Instead, Euro 2020 was mooted as a possible sweetener, with officials fearing their World Cup hopes had been ruined following fan violence ahead of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.

Fans forced their way through the barriers in chaotic and embarrassing scenes, with some breaking in illegally before England were handed a stadium ban as punishment.

However, UEFA sees this as a one-off event caused by England’s first major final appearance in 55 years and a massive release of frustration following the release from lockdown, as well as largely blaming the Metropolitan Police for their poor operation. of security.