The Russian Football Federation (RFS) will hold an executive committee meeting on Friday to discuss leaving UEFA, European football’s governing body, and joining the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Russia is ready to leave UEFA and join AFC

All Russian clubs and national teams were suspended from FIFA and UEFA football competitions in February following the invasion of Ukraine. While the conflict continues, the suspension remains in effect, ESPN writes.

Despite the European bans, the RFS believes that joining the Asian organization will allow teams to return to action in a more pleasant environment.

“In the current geopolitical relations, the presence of the Russian Federation in UEFA contradicts the national interests of Russia. It is impossible to build sports friendship with countries that are unfriendly to us,” said Russian State Duma deputy Roman Teryuskov.

On December 23, a meeting was held in Moscow regarding a possible transfer to the Asian organization, the final decision may be made at the executive committee on Friday. Almost 75% of Russia’s territory is in Asia.

UEFA is closely monitoring the situation and is waiting for clarification of the position of the RFS. Russia is one of UEFA’s 55 full member associations and was due to host the 2022 Champions League final in St Petersburg, which was moved to Paris because of the war.

No nation has yet withdrawn from UEFA, but there is precedent for the AFC to host nations outside the confederation. Since 2006, Australia has participated as an Asian nation after withdrawing from the Oceania Football Confederation.