An explosive investigation has uncovered that UEFA made solidarity payments to Russian football clubs even after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The revelations come despite widespread sporting sanctions imposed on Russian teams following the outbreak of war.
Payments Continued Despite Sanctions
According to financial documents obtained by The Guardian, UEFA transferred funds through its solidarity mechanism designed to support youth development in European football. These payments were made after Russian teams were banned from UEFA competitions.
Controversial Timing
The transactions occurred between March 2022 and July 2023, raising serious questions about UEFA's compliance with international sanctions. A UEFA spokesperson claimed the payments were "contractual obligations" from pre-existing agreements.
Football's Moral Dilemma
The revelations have sparked outrage among Ukrainian officials and football authorities. "This is blood money financing Putin's war machine," said a senior Ukrainian football official who wished to remain anonymous.
Key findings include:
- Payments totalling several million euros
- Funds distributed to multiple Russian clubs
- Transactions processed through third-party accounts
UEFA's Response
European football's governing body maintains the payments were legally required under existing contracts. However, sports ethics experts argue UEFA should have frozen all financial transactions immediately after the invasion.
The controversy comes as pressure mounts on international sports organisations to take a stronger stance against Russian aggression. With the war continuing, calls grow for complete financial isolation of Russian sports entities.
