Russia to host Serbia for first friendly against European team since Ukraine invasion

UEFA confirmed it had given permission for the game. Russian national teams and clubs are banned from UEFA competitions, but that suspension does not apply to friendlies.

Published : Jan 31, 2024 17:19 IST , NYON - 1 MIN READ

FILE PHOTO: Russian fans during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Russia and Croatia.
FILE PHOTO: Russian fans during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Russia and Croatia. | Photo Credit: AFP
infoIcon

FILE PHOTO: Russian fans during the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Russia and Croatia. | Photo Credit: AFP

Russia is set to host Serbia for a friendly in Moscow in March for its first men’s national team game against a European opponent since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Russian Football Union said in a social media post on Wednesday that the game will be played on March 21 at Dynamo Moscow’s stadium.

UEFA confirmed it had given permission for the game. Russian national teams and clubs are banned from UEFA competitions, but that suspension does not apply to friendlies.

Since the invasion of Ukraine saw Russia removed from international competitions, the Russian national team has mostly organized friendlies against teams from Asia and Africa, as well as one game against Cuba in November.

A game against Bosnia-Herzegovina was planned in late 2022 but never took place following objections from some Bosnian players. The Russian women’s national team played friendlies against Belarus, China, Iran and Paraguay last year.

Serbian football has close ties to Russia, whose state energy firm Gazprom still sponsors storied club Red Star Belgrade after being dropped by UEFA as its longstanding commercial partner within days of the war starting in Ukraine.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment