England will oppose playing matches against Russian football teams after UEFA lifted its blanket ban on the country taking part in its competitions to allow under-17s fixtures.
European football’s governing body took the decision at a meeting of its executive committee, 18 months after prohibiting all Russian teams from its competitions following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA said in a statement: “Children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults, and is firmly convinced that football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope.
“It is particularly aggrieving that, due to the enduring conflict, a generation of minors is deprived of its right to compete in international football.”
Russian U17s teams will be allowed to play in Europe again but without their national flag, anthem or national kit. Games cannot be played in Russia.
But Sky News understands the Football Association (FA) does not support readmitting Russia to UEFA youth competitions, and its position remains that England teams will not play against Russia.
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The ban prevented Russia playing at the Women’s European Championship in England in 2022 and from qualifying for the men’s and women’s World Cups.
UEFA insists all senior teams will remain banned at club and national team levels from its competitions.
Aleksander Čeferin, the president, said: “UEFA’s continuing suspension against Russian adult teams reflects its commitment to take a stand against violence and aggression.
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UEFA is determined that this position will continue until the war is over and peace restored.
“But by banning children from our competitions, we not only fail to recognise and uphold a fundamental right for their holistic development but we directly discriminate against them.
“By providing opportunities to play and compete with their peers from all over Europe, we are investing in what we hope will be a brighter and more capable future generation and a better tomorrow.”
World governing body FIFA did not reply to a request for comment.
