Ukraine: UEFA bans European competition matches in Transnistria

The UEFA Executive Committee has today decided that no matches of the European competitions it organizes will be played in the Transnistria region of Moldova until further notice, because of the war in Ukraine.

According to UEFA, this measure was taken “in line with previous decisions taken in light of the large-scale military escalation that led to the invasion of Ukrainian territory by the Russian army” and is based “on considerations and conclusions that have been systematically drawn by the agencies specialized in international political and strategic analysis”, whose reports were consulted by the highest football body, after an assessment of the current situation in the Transnistria region.

“The UEFA Executive Committee, as the body responsible for drawing up the regulations governing the conduct of UEFA competitions (in accordance with Article 50(1) of the UEFA Statutes), has the overall responsibility for ensuring the proper functioning of its competitions, which includes the obligation to temporarily prevent matches of UEFA competitions from being held in certain regions when the set of circumstances so requires”, said the executive body of UEFA, justifying its decision.

More informed the same committee that Sheriff Tiraspol, who will participate, on behalf of Moldova, in the next qualifying round of the Champions League in 2022/23, was invited to propose an alternative stadium, which must comply with all applicable regulations. outside the Transnistria region for their home matches in UEFA club competitions, as long as the ban on playing in the region remains in effect.

Finally, UEFA informs that “it will be available to convene new meetings, regularly and continuously, as necessary, to reassess the legal and factual situation as the situation evolves and to take new decisions as necessary”.