European football’s governing body, UEFA, is holding the 2022 Futsal European Cup tournament or what is known as Futsal Euro 2022. The tournament was held in Amsterdam and Groningen, the Netherlands, from 19 January to 6 February. Portugal came out as champions, after winning over Russia 4-2 on February 6 in Amsterdam. Perhaps, what’s interesting about this tournament is the meeting of Russia and Ukraine in the semifinals, two days earlier.
It was the first time that two teams from Russia and Ukraine met on a football field, in this case a futsal field. The last time the two teams between Russia and Ukraine met was in the group stage of the 2011-12 Champions League, where Zenit St Petersburg and Shakhtar Donetsk were in the same group, Group G. Russia and Ukraine do not meet again, as in July 2014, the UEFA Emergency Panel decided the two countries should not be in the same group in any tournament indefinitely.
The decision came at a time when Russia took the Crimea region in Ukraine, as well as unfavorable conditions in Eastern Ukraine, which has a Russian-speaking and pro-Russian population. “Due to the political situation, the Russian Football Union and the Football Federation of Ukraine are concerned about security if teams from Russia and Ukraine meet each other in UEFA competitions. Therefore, it has been decided that teams from both countries cannot be grouped together or meet each other. This decision valid indefinitely,” UEFA said in a statement.
Back to Futsal Euro 2022. A meeting in the semifinals is inevitable. Importantly, UEFA has separated Russia and Ukraine in the group stage. Ukraine in Group A, Russia in Group C. Ukraine was runner-up in Group A under Portugal, while Russia was in Group C. I don’t know what would have happened if Ukraine and Russia were both group winners or runners-up.
According to Russia Today, or now known as RT, the two teams agreed not to let the background of current, or past political and military tensions between Russia and Ukraine affect their performances. In fact, one of the Russian players said that they kept talking to each other when they were at the hotel, greeting each other as usual. There is no grudge, let alone hate.
They also ensured that if any hate speech appeared, it would not come from members of the two teams. If in the end Russia won 3-2, yes, that’s what had to happen on the field. Unfortunately, there were “Russophobic” songs from the Ukrainian audience. Their songs contain satire to the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The fans have been warned by the MC to stop singing.
Even though the remarks came from the fans and not from members of the two teams, UEFA still asked the Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate what happened. That’s how it is. Whenever Russia comes into conflict with Ukraine, many aspects of life are affected, including football. Especially, football involving Russia and Ukraine, both at club and national team level.
In the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian War, Shakhtar Donetsk became the club that changed stadiums the most. For the 2014-15 Champions League, Shakhtar are in Group H with Porto, Athletic Bilbao and BATE Borisov. Because Shakhtar is located in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, which is one of the conflict arenas, they cannot compete at the Donbass Arena as a home stadium.
So, when it comes to hosting Porto, Athletic, and BATE, Shakhtar must use the Lviv Arena Stadium, in Lviv city, which is 1,000 km away from Donetsk city. The stadium was also used during the knockout round, where Shakhtar hosted Bayern Munich. Then, during the 2016-17 winter break, the Shakhtar moved again to the Metalist Stadium in the city of Kharkiv, which is 250 km away. Then, since May 2020, Shakhtar played at NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv. The last move occurred because of the war in the Donbas region, the headquarters of Shakhtar.
At the 2018 World Cup, which Russia hosted, there was no need for a group separation between Russia and Ukraine. Because, Ukraine did not qualify. Then, in the Euro 2020 draw, according to UEFA rules in 2014, Ukraine was immediately placed in Group C, while Russia was the host of Group B.
And, there is no need to worry that there will be a meeting between Russia and Ukraine after the group stage in the tournament being held in many countries. If Ukraine can advance to the Round of 16, Russia will be the bottom occupant of the standings, aka not qualify. Then, this year there will be a World Cup in Qatar. Russia and Ukraine both have not qualified, but they still have a chance through the play-offs.
Of course, according to UEFA rules, Russia and Ukraine are placed in different play-off paths. Ukraine is on Line A along with Scotland, Wales and Austria. Russia on Line B with Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic. If Russia and Ukraine both qualify for the 2022 World Cup, it must be ensured that they will not be in the same group. That’s assuming Russia hasn’t invaded Ukraine.
If Russia has rushed to attack Ukraine, then get ready to wait for what decisions will be taken by FIFA. It is possible that the highest body of world football will be inspired by the decisions taken by UEFA at Euro 1992. At that time, Yugoslavia was experiencing division and civil war. The country had already qualified for Euro 1992. However, UEFA revoked Yugoslavia’s participation and replaced it with Denmark, who later became champions.
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