In reaction to Moscow's incursion in Ukraine, the governing body of European football promptly banned all Russian teams from events last year. However, the suspension was subsequently relaxed by the readmission of Russia's national under-17 squad on Tuesday.
In response to UEFA re-accepting Russia's youth squad into international competitions, the Ukrainian football association said on Wednesday that Ukrainian teams will boycott all events including Russian teams.
The statement read, "The UAF confirms that it will not participate in any competitions featuring Russian teams." It also urged other UEFA members to abstain from attending games involving Russian teams.
In reaction to Moscow's incursion in Ukraine, the governing body of European football promptly banned all Russian teams from events last year. However, the suspension was subsequently relaxed by the readmission of Russia's national under-17 squad on Tuesday.
The decision by UEFA to allow Russian U-17 teams to compete internationally is severely condemned by the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF), the UAF said in a statement late on Tuesday.
The UAF affirms that it will not compete in any events featuring Russian teams," the statement read.
In its announcement of the decision, UEFA made the case that a "generation of minors" was being denied the opportunity to compete and that kids shouldn't be held accountable for the decisions of grownups.
However, it stated that Russian teams would not be permitted to compete on Russian soil and that use of the nation's flag, anthem, and uniform would be prohibited.
Ukraine has vowed to boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics if Russian and Belarusian athletes compete, and has frequently demanded for Russia to be completely barred from international sporting competitions.