The tension between Russia and Ukraine has brought a devastating blow to Russian football, from UEFA to FIFA, to European clubs and national football associations, all of which have pulled Russian football into the "blacklist".
On March 2, the Russian media "gol.ru" posted that in view of the current situation of being banned, joining the AFC is the only opportunity for Russian football.
The "gol.ru" first said that Russian football ushered in the winter, the Russian national team and affiliated clubs, were banned by FIFA and UEFA worldwide, and this decision is currently valid until further notice. The media said the penalties could last for years and perhaps Russian football would no longer be part of the European football map. If that's the end result, then the only theoretically viable way out of this isolation is to join the AFC. In this way, Russian football will be able to participate in official competitions, participate in international competitions and remain in the entire football system.
There is precedent for Australia, for example, joining the AFC in 2005 and even winning the Asian Cup. However gol.ru said that changing the relationship between the associations will ultimately require the consent of FIFA, which should be difficult for Russia at present.
(Edited by Shen Peipei)