As UEFA works on return for Russian youth teams, Ukraine promises boycott and urges others to join

GENEVA (AP) — The Ukraine soccer federation says it will boycott any European youth competition that includes Russia as UEFA works on easing a blanket ban imposed since the war started. Ukraine soccer officials have also urged other UEFA member countries to refuse to play Russia. England did that within hours of UEFA announcing a new policy Tuesday of trying to reintegrate Russian under-17 teams. In Sweden, which will host the girls’ U17 Euro finals tournament in May, the soccer federation said it would not let Russia take part if it qualified. Qualifying groups are played in October and November for the U17 European Championship for boys and girls. UEFA and FIFA moved quickly when the invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022 to remove and ban all Russian teams.