UEFA vice chairman Nilsson resigns as head of Swedish sports physique in fallout from pro-Russia vote

GENEVA — UEFA’s determination to welcome Russian youth groups again into its competitions price its Swedish vice chairman his different top-tier job Friday as head of a nationwide sports physique.

Karl-Erik Nilsson resigned as chairman of the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF), after coming beneath strain within the 10 days since UEFA surprisingly eased its blanket ban on Russian groups imposed 19 months in the past amid the invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s a very difficult decision to choose now to step to one side because I have felt a lot of dedication and happiness in the role,” stated Nilsson in an announcement asserting his exit from a job he was elected to in May.

The RF distributes about $180 million of state funding annually to Swedish sports right down to grass roots.

“But since it has shown itself to be difficult to combine my two roles, and that it can influence the trust in me and Swedish sports, I am still choosing to do it,” stated the previous worldwide soccer referee, who will proceed as certainly one of UEFA’s six vice presidents.

As the UEFA senior vice chairman – successfully No. 2 in rank to the European soccer physique’s president Aleksander Ceferin – Nilsson had spoken in favor of and voted for a extra pro-Russia coverage at a Sept. 26 assembly in Cyprus.

Nilsson’s UEFA vote defied selections final 12 months by the Swedish soccer federation and nationwide sports our bodies to not play towards Russian groups or let its athletes enter the nation to compete.

Swedish soccer officers reiterated their opposition to Russian groups after the UEFA vote.

He obtained into additional bother in Sweden by initially taking part in down British media studies that he had voted in favor of Russia.

Sweden is also the scheduled host for UEFA of the ladies’s Under-17 European Championship finals event subsequent 12 months.

Qualifying teams for women and men organized by UEFA begin this month and Nilsson is due to participate in a UEFA government committee assembly on Tuesday to replace on progress in Nyon, Switzerland.

At least 12 of UEFA’s 55 member federations together with Ukraine, England and Sweden have restated that they won’t play video games towards Russian groups.

UEFA justified its determination by saying it was unfair to punish youngsters in Russia for actions and selections ordered by the nationwide authorities. The youth groups would nonetheless must compete with out their flag, anthem or nationwide colours, and solely play video games outdoors Russia.

However, it went past International Olympic Committee recommendation to governing our bodies to proceed excluding Russian athletes from crew sports.

Nilsson can proceed as a UEFA vice chairman for one more 18 months till his present mandate expires in 2025.

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