Ukraine has said it will not play in tournaments involving Russian teams after soccer European governing body, UEFA, announced plans to reinstate Russia's Under-17 sides to European competitions. In a statement released late on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) urged UEFA to reconsider its decision and urged other countries not to play against Russian teams.

UEFA decided after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that all Russian teams - national or club sides - would be suspended from participation in its competitions.

But UEFA said on Tuesday that "children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults", and that Russian U-17 sides would be readmitted to UEFA competitions "in the course of this season".

"UAF strongly condemns today's UEFA decision on the return of U-17 teams from the Russian Federation to international competitions," the UAF said, urging UEFA to stick to its blanket ban on Russian teams.

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"UAF confirms that we will not take part in any competitions with the participation of Russian teams, and appeal to other UEFA member associations to boycott possible matches with the participation of teams from the Russian Federation, subject to their admission."

It said the return of Russian teams to competitions "in the midst of hostilities conducted by the Russian Federation against Ukraine is groundless and such that it tolerates Russia's aggressive policy."

England's Football Association reacted to UEFA's decision on Tuesday by saying its youth teams would not play against Russia.

The U-17 men's European Championship finals will be held in Cyprus next year, while the women's tournament will take place in Sweden.

Ukraine's sports ministry has barred Ukrainian national sports associations from sending delegations to compete at events where Russians or Belarusians were competing. Belarus let its territory be used as a launchpad for Russia's invasion.

Ukraine's football association subsequently clarified that its senior team would continue to participate in qualifiers for Euro 2024, despite the fact that the Belarusian team is competing in a separate qualifying group.

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Ukraine has said it will not play in tournaments involving Russian teams after soccer European governing body, UEFA, announced plans to reinstate Russia's Under-17 sides to European competitions.

Ukraine has said it will not play in tournaments involving Russian teams after soccer European governing body, UEFA, announced plans to reinstate Russia's Under-17 sides to European competitions. In a statement released late on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) urged UEFA to reconsider its decision and urged other countries not to play against Russian teams. UEFA decided after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that all Russian teams - national or club sides - would be suspended from participation in its competitions. But UEFA said on Tuesday that "children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults", and that Russian U-17 sides would be readmitted to UEFA competitions "in the course of this season". "UAF strongly condemns today's UEFA decision on the return of U-17 teams from the Russian Federation to international competitions," the UAF said, urging UEFA to stick to its blanket ban on Russian teams. ALSO READ: China Open 2023: Carlos Alcaraz relishes 'beautiful battle' for number one spot "UAF confirms that we will not take part in any competitions with the participation of Russian teams, and appeal to other UEFA member associations to boycott possible matches with the participation of teams from the Russian Federation, subject to their admission." It said the return of Russian teams to competitions "in the midst of hostilities conducted by the Russian Federation against Ukraine is groundless and such that it tolerates Russia's aggressive policy." England's Football Association reacted to UEFA's decision on Tuesday by saying its youth teams would not play against Russia. The U-17 men's European Championship finals will be held in Cyprus next year, while the women's tournament will take place in Sweden. Ukraine's sports ministry has barred Ukrainian national sports associations from sending delegations to compete at events where Russians or Belarusians were competing. Belarus let its territory be used as a launchpad for Russia's invasion. Ukraine's football association subsequently clarified that its senior team would continue to participate in qualifiers for Euro 2024, despite the fact that the Belarusian team is competing in a separate qualifying group. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: Ukraine hit back at UEFA over reinstating Russia in U-17 European competitions

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football.

Four percent of the revenue from European club competition is currently distributed to clubs who do not take part, in what are known as solidarity payments.

However, the European Leagues umbrella body, which represents the continent's domestic leagues, said on Friday that it will propose this amount be increased to eight percent during the period for 2021-24.

UEFA had predicted that the four percent would be equivalent to around 130 million euros ($157.43 million) for the 2019/20 season although the estimate was made before the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected European football finances.

In an report to its members, European Leagues said it was concerned about the revenue gap between the biggest clubs and the rest, which it said was "increasing and accelerating."

"The trend points to greater dominance by a fewer number of clubs in many competitions," it said.

It also called on UEFA for a "genuine, open and structured process" when it resumes discussions over plans for European club competitions from 2024 onwards, having complained of a lack of consultation in previous talks.

Last year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) put forward a plan to turn the Champions League into a semi-closed competition from 2024 onwards. It was eventually dropped amid strong opposition.

European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said he was optimistic the discussions for 2024 onwards, which have been interrupted by the pandemic, would now be more transparent.

"We are convinced the process will be totally different from 2019," said Olsson. "That is a discussion which has to take place and has to involve everyone in European football."

Although there are frequent reports of plans to form a European Super League for the biggest clubs, Olsson said he did not take these seriously.

"There have been very clear statements from UEFA they are not going to admit a breakaway league and many clubs saying they are not interested in a private league," he said. "It's annoying having these reports pop up every three or four years."

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football.

UEFA has been asked to double the amount it pays out to clubs who fail to qualify for European competition as part of proposals intended to reduce financial inequalities in the continent's football. Four percent of the revenue from European club competition is currently distributed to clubs who do not take part, in what are known as solidarity payments. However, the European Leagues umbrella body, which represents the continent's domestic leagues, said on Friday that it will propose this amount be increased to eight percent during the period for 2021-24. UEFA had predicted that the four percent would be equivalent to around 130 million euros ($157.43 million) for the 2019/20 season although the estimate was made before the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected European football finances. In an report to its members, European Leagues said it was concerned about the revenue gap between the biggest clubs and the rest, which it said was "increasing and accelerating." "The trend points to greater dominance by a fewer number of clubs in many competitions," it said. It also called on UEFA for a "genuine, open and structured process" when it resumes discussions over plans for European club competitions from 2024 onwards, having complained of a lack of consultation in previous talks. Last year, UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) put forward a plan to turn the Champions League into a semi-closed competition from 2024 onwards. It was eventually dropped amid strong opposition. European Leagues president Lars-Christer Olsson said he was optimistic the discussions for 2024 onwards, which have been interrupted by the pandemic, would now be more transparent. "We are convinced the process will be totally different from 2019," said Olsson. "That is a discussion which has to take place and has to involve everyone in European football." Although there are frequent reports of plans to form a European Super League for the biggest clubs, Olsson said he did not take these seriously. "There have been very clear statements from UEFA they are not going to admit a breakaway league and many clubs saying they are not interested in a private league," he said. "It's annoying having these reports pop up every three or four years."

UEFA asked to double payment to clubs who miss out on European competition

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona moved close to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages by outclassing Olympiakos 3-1 on Wednesday despite playing the second half with 10 men.

Gerard Pique was sent off two minutes before halftime for two bookings, one for tugging an opponent&#39;s shirt and the other for slapping the ball into the net, but Barca were barely threatened by a hapless Olympiakos side who are badly under-performing in their Greek title defence.

The Athens club, who won three league titles and two domestic Cups under current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, are fifth in the standings in the Greek top flight and have lost all their games in the Champions League.

Barca took the lead in the 18th minute at a rainswept and sparsely attended Nou Camp when visiting defender Dimitrios Nikolaou turned Gerard Deulofeu&#39;s cross into his own net.

It was the fifth own goal Barca have benefited from this season in all competitions.

Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca&#39;s lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup.

&quot;I hope he can get to 200 by the end of this season,&quot; joked Valverde after the Argentine took his tally to 15 goals in all competitions less than two months into the campaign.

&quot;His numbers validate what we see from him every day. He is constantly breaking down barriers.&quot;

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also paid tribute to Messi.

&quot;I would give him every prize in the world, he has been the best player of all time for many years now,&quot; he said.

&quot;He has made this era sublime. We see him as the leader of our team, he contributes so much and we all never tire of enjoying him.&quot;

Messi then carved his way through the hapless visiting defence moments later to tee up France left back Lucas Digne to score his first goal in the Champions League for Barca.

Greek defender Nikolaou, 19, scored for a second time but first for his side when he headed home from a corner to give Olympiakos a scantly-deserved consolation goal in the 89th minute.

The unbeaten Barca top Champions League Group D with nine points. A win at Olympiakos in two weeks will seal their place in the last 16.

&quot;We are feeling very good in the league and Champions League and we have to keep going like this,&quot; Barca&#39;s Sergi Roberto told reporters after his side recorded a 10th victory in 11 games.

&quot;We are frustrated to have conceded a goal although by then the game was almost over.&quot;

Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca's lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup. "I

Lionel Messi scored his 100th goal in European competition as Barcelona moved close to qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages by outclassing Olympiakos 3-1 on Wednesday despite playing the second half with 10 men. Gerard Pique was sent off two minutes before halftime for two bookings, one for tugging an opponent's shirt and the other for slapping the ball into the net, but Barca were barely threatened by a hapless Olympiakos side who are badly under-performing in their Greek title defence. The Athens club, who won three league titles and two domestic Cups under current Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, are fifth in the standings in the Greek top flight and have lost all their games in the Champions League. Barca took the lead in the 18th minute at a rainswept and sparsely attended Nou Camp when visiting defender Dimitrios Nikolaou turned Gerard Deulofeu's cross into his own net. It was the fifth own goal Barca have benefited from this season in all competitions. Messi struck his landmark goal in Europe from a free kick in the 61st minute to double Barca's lead. It was his 97th goal in the Champions League. His other three came in the UEFA Super Cup. "I hope he can get to 200 by the end of this season," joked Valverde after the Argentine took his tally to 15 goals in all competitions less than two months into the campaign. "His numbers validate what we see from him every day. He is constantly breaking down barriers." Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also paid tribute to Messi. "I would give him every prize in the world, he has been the best player of all time for many years now," he said. "He has made this era sublime. We see him as the leader of our team, he contributes so much and we all never tire of enjoying him." Messi then carved his way through the hapless visiting defence moments later to tee up France left back Lucas Digne to score his first goal in the Champions League for Barca. Greek defender Nikolaou, 19, scored for a second time but first for his side when he headed home from a corner to give Olympiakos a scantly-deserved consolation goal in the 89th minute. The unbeaten Barca top Champions League Group D with nine points. A win at Olympiakos in two weeks will seal their place in the last 16. "We are feeling very good in the league and Champions League and we have to keep going like this," Barca's Sergi Roberto told reporters after his side recorded a 10th victory in 11 games. "We are frustrated to have conceded a goal although by then the game was almost over."

Champions League: Messi joins 100-goal club as Barcelona beat Olympiakos