Russia appealed to UEFA to suspend the coach of the Ukrainian national team ,
Oleksandr Petrakov .
KYIV. UkraineGate . 19 . September . 2022 | Society.
Russia called on UEFA to suspend Ukraine national football coach Oleksandr Petrakov after he said he was ready to defend Ukraine against Russian occupiers after a full-scale invasion began.
Details
The Russian Football Union wrote to the governing body, accusing Petrakov of “discriminating against Russians and not preserving political neutrality.” In a letter to UEFA’s control, ethics and discipline body, the coach of the Ukrainian national team is accused of allegedly “violating the code of conduct” for his calls to ban Russians from international competitions and intentions to join the Armed Forces.
The Deputy General Secretary of the Russian Football Union, Denys Rogachev, cited Petrakov’s quotes about the war, published in two publications – the Italian Corriere dello Sport and the Russian “Sport-Express”.
The Guardian duplicates the words of the Ukrainian specialist, which caused outrage among the Russians: “I thought if they came to Kyiv, I would take up arms and defend my city. I am 64 years old, but I considered it normal. I think I could destroy two or three enemies”.
According to the Russian Football Union, Petrakov’s comments violate the codes of FIFA and UEFA, which prohibit “discrimination against any country” and speak of the desire to popularize football “in the spirit of peace.”
The spokesperson of the Ukrainian Football Association responded to the accusations of the Russians.
“When his country was attacked by non-humans, (Petrakov – ed.) was ready to defend his land, his wife and children. He was not taken into the army because of his lack of military experience, but this step is proof of his devotion to the Motherland and a manifestation of patriotism. What discrimination can one go to a nation when the same nation deliberately commits genocide?” – he said.
The ban does not apply only to individual Russian football players who play abroad.
Source: Ukrgate
