Russia 'interested' in hosting Euro 2028 or 2032 despite invasion of Ukraine
23 March 2022, 15:01 | Updated: 23 March 2022, 15:10
Russia has declared an interest in hosting Euro 2028 or Euro 2032, despite the country's international football ban.
Russian clubs and national teams are currently suspended by Fifa and Uefa over the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
But the executive committee of Russia's Football Union has given its backing for a bid for 2028 and 2032, with the deadline for expressions of interest set for Wednesday.
A post on the union's official website outlined a number of results from Wednesday's executive committee meeting which included to "support the decision to declare interest in hosting the European Championship 2028 or 2032 in Russia".
Reports from Russia had earlier quoted an executive committee member, Sergey Anokhin, indicating an interest in bidding for the tournaments.
Read more: Russia 'preparing large-scale offensive' as Putin's troops suffer losses amid attacks
Mariupol resident shares horror of living there during siege
UEFA had no immediate response to the Russian declaration, but is expected to issue a statement when the deadline for declarations of interest passes at 5pm UK time.
The UK and Ireland earlier formally submitted initial bids to host Euro 2028 to UEFA.
The five associations confirmed in a joint statement issued on Wednesday morning that an 'expression of interest' (EOI) had been filed, which has the support of the governments of the UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The EOI submission comes on deadline day for interested parties to confirm their interest to UEFA, with The Times reporting earlier this week that the UK and Ireland bid was set to be unopposed.
The statement confirming the EOI pointed out the five-nation bid's capability to host a 32-team finals, should UEFA opt to increase the number of teams from the current 24.
The intention to bid for Euro 2028 was announced on February 7, after a feasibility study concluded that targeting the continental finals carried greater certainty than a bid for the 2030 World Cup, which had been under consideration.
A joint statement from the five associations read: "With this unique partnership, we are taking the appropriate next steps and our ambition is to stage a successful UEFA Euro which will be a wonderful celebration of football for fans and teams.
"We believe Euro 2028 would be one of the greatest sporting events ever held in the UK and Ireland.
"This unprecedented partnership of five associations offers something special to European football, including the potential for an expanded tournament, and we are passionate about maximising the sustainability and legacy benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland.
"Over the coming months, we will develop our proposals further, subject to the publication by UEFA of the full technical specification. This includes engaging in discussions with possible host cities and stadia to define the optimum tournament model and conducting a full costs and benefits analysis."
The UK and Ireland will offer an unrivalled tournament from a technical perspective - with modern, well-connected stadia and excellent infrastructure - that makes our partnership ideal to host Euro 2028."
The joint statement released on Wednesday morning continued: "Football must do everything possible to show how our sport can be a force for good - now, more than ever.
"We are resolute in our belief in the power of football to help bring people together."
