Russia bids to host European tournaments despite global soccer ban
AxiosOct 26, 2021
The Facts
Russia's soccer governing body on Wed. launched a bid to host UEFA Euro 2028 and 2032 despite its teams and clubs currently being banned from international competitions over the invasion of Ukraine.
It rivals Turkey's and a UK-Ireland joint bid to host Euro 2028; while Italy and Turkey have also declared interest in hosting the 2032 edition.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Sports bans sucessfully increase pressure on Russia over their unjust invasion of Ukraine by delivering a financial and psychological blow. They compromise the image Putin and his allies carefully cultivated of a prosperous and fortified nation.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has every right to attempt a bid at the UEFA Euro 2028. Sports bans are discriminatory; they're contrary to the principle that international sports should be independent of politics, and they also unfairly harm millions of Russian and foreign fans and sport itself.
Establishment-critical narrative
Sometimes money and alliances matter more that human rights: Nobody is blocking Saudi Arabia from sports or from buying Newcastle United, despite their brutal war on Yemen.
