RUSS DECISION
Russia ‘set to be banned by Uefa’ after shameless 11th-hour bid to host Euro 2028 and rival UK and Ireland
RUSSIA are set to be banned by Uefa after their audacious late bid to host Euro 2028.
The country sparked chaos on Wednesday with their last-ditch attempt to stage the tournament - or the one four years later.
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As a result, Turkey also tried their luck, aiming to capitalise on the split field after a UK and Ireland joint bid looked on course to win the event unchallenged.
Russia are currently under widespread sanctions for invading Ukraine.
But although they were booted out of tonight’s scheduled World Cup play-off semi-final against Poland by Fifa and Uefa, neither organisation suspended their FA.
It means Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov, chief executive of Gazprom and a prominent Vladimir Putin supporter, has retained his place on Uefa’s ruling executive committee - and enabled the shameless bid.
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However, according to the , Uefa plans to stop the Russian application by suspending them anyway.
Article 11 of the European football governing body's constitution states suspended associations cannot bid to host tournaments.
Asked if Russia would be allowed to host Euro 2028, a Uefa spokesperson said: "The Uefa Executive Committee will remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary."
The Home Nations were hoping to have their winning confirmation in April after submitting their joint "expression of interest".
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But this could now be pushed back until as late as September 2023 if Turkey follow through on their plan to try their luck.
On top of the extra wait, the FA now face a £10million bill to ensure their bid wins and they host the tournament across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
One outraged insider said: “It is just despicable that Russia still thinks it is part of the community of civilised nations.
“This is a disgrace, pure and simple.”
Current holders Italy are expected to host Euro 2032 while Germany will stage the tournament in 2024.
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