British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Russia's bid to host the 2028 European Men's Championship “beyond satire& #8221; and recommended to organize the tournament in Ukraine, despite the joint application of Great Britain and Ireland.
This was announced by Johnson on Thursday, March 24, in Brussels during the NATO summit. A day earlier, the Russian Federation announced that it was interested in hosting Euro 2028 or Euro 2032.
— The idea that Russia could now host any football tournament or any cultural event goes beyond satire. I can't believe anyone would seriously consider their offer. I think it would be better if all Russian troops left Ukraine immediately and the tournament should be handed over to them (Ukraine, — Ed.),” Johnson said.
Johnson was answering a direct question about whether it would not be better for Ukraine to host the Euro than for Russia. The Guardian writes that at the same time, Johnson himself apparently forgot that his own country had applied for hosting Euro 2028, having the full support of the government.
Soon, Johnson's speaker stressed that the prime minister had in mind that
— Do not forget about the prestige of hosting world-famous sports competitions. This proposal is brazen and extremely misguided on the part of Russia, given its horrendous actions in Ukraine. But it is clear that we remain fully committed to the UK and Ireland's Euro 2028 bid, which retains government support, — said Johnson's speaker.
UAF President Andriy Pavelko commented on Boris Johnson's proposal to host Euro 2028 in Ukraine. He noted that the Euro had already been in Ukraine, and therefore it is better to compete for the World Cup.
– Why not apply for the World Cup? We already had the Euro, it's better to fight for the World Cup. Moreover, Ukraine has united the whole world. Perhaps not the European Championship, we have already held it. But the World Cup will be much better.
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, heavy sanctions were imposed on the aggressor country, and the 2022 Champions League final was selected, Russian clubs were disqualified from European competitions, and the national team Russia from the playoff selection for the 2022 World Cup. UEFA also announced the termination of the contract with the Russian company Gazprom, which was the title sponsor of the organization.
