RFU president intends to find out which clubs escaped sanctions thanks to Hungary

Russian Football Union (RFU) President Alexander Dyukov told Izvestia that he will ask Hungarian Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto which two Russian soccer clubs have escaped the 15th package of European Union (EU) sanctions.

Grozny's Akhmat has been under US sanctions since February 10, 2020. On February 22, 2022, CSKA Moscow joined it. At the same time, the EU has not yet imposed sanctions against Russian clubs.

"I can't comment on this issue yet. I am familiar with Peter Szijjarto. Therefore, when I get the opportunity, I will ask him a question. I myself am curious about the two clubs," Alexander Dyukov told Izvestia.

Maxim Mitrofanov, general secretary of the RFU, explained how sanctions against clubs can affect their work.

"It all depends on the type of sanctions. Alexander Valeryevich [Dyukov] has already said that he will clarify with Mr. Sijjarto, if possible, which two clubs were in mind and what sanctions they were facing. But partly we can assess the situation in such a way that it is more difficult for the sanctioned clubs to make international transfers. That is, to pay for players they acquire and to receive funds for players they sell to foreign teams. It becomes more difficult to pay for foreign training camps and interact with any foreign contractors. The procedure for receiving money from international organizations becomes more complicated," Mitrofanov said in an interview with Izvestia.

American sanctions against CSKA have led to the fact that the club can not make part of the payments for the transfer of Nigerian striker Chideru Ejuke, acquired in August 2020 from the Dutch "Heerenveen". Because of this, on December 6, 2024, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) imposed a ban on international transfers until the summer of 2026.

At the same time, due to similar sanctions, CSKA did not receive a full payment from English West Ham United for the transfer of Croatian midfielder Nikola Vlasic, who moved to the London club in August 2021.

"It is logical for fellow clubs to answer the question of how they circumvent these sanctions, but it is clear that it is difficult. Naturally, the main issues are being resolved, but the same recent CSKA ban is indicative. It's unfair, because according to FIFA's logic, when the Army Men can't get the money for Vlasic's transfer to West Ham United, it's normal, but when they can't pay Heerenveen for Ejuca, they get a ban. I would call it complete lawlessness on the part of international organizations. Unfortunately, we see such double standards, and they affect the fact that CSKA cannot make international transfers yet. Colleagues from the club understand how to deal with these issues and are trying to solve them. Let's hope they will succeed soon," Mitrofanov emphasized.

All Russian soccer clubs have been suspended from European cups by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since February 2022. Also, all Russian national teams are not allowed to official international competitions.

Courts and trials: what is known about the 15th package of sanctions against Russia

The EU Council adopted a new list of anti-Russian restrictions on December 16

Earlier, on December 16, Szijjártó said that Hungary managed to achieve the exclusion of Patriarch Kirill, Russia's permanent representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzi, the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and two Russian soccer clubs from the new package of EU sanctions.

At the same time it became known that the EU foreign ministers finally approved the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. Restrictions affected 54 individuals and 30 organizations. The list of restrictions also included 52 ships, which were banned from entering ports and providing various services related to maritime transportation.

The director of the Russian singer Larisa Dolina, whose name is in the 15th package of sanctions, pointed out that the restrictions were actually imposed against all Russians who stayed in their native country and work in its interests.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch it was announced on February 24, 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.