U n EFA urged to exclude Kosovo's opponent, Belarus

The Eurodeputs argued that Belarus, not only supports but actively participates in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The letter also said that football and sports are generally used by the authoritarian Belarusic leader Alyaxander Lucashenka for spreading political propaganda.

According to European lawmakers, participation in UEFA and Belarus national competitions will later be used by Lucashenka for propaganda, to prove that it is being accepted well by the international community”. MPs claimed that allowing Belarus's participation in these races was an insult to the victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine, but also to many human rights fighters in Belarus.

Also, there have been calls for Belarus to be banned from participation in international football competitions, just as Russia has been banned. But, UEFA has so far resisted such calls, underlining that, in a measure, Belarus has been sanctioned, unable to hold international matches on its territory.

The eventual ban on Belarus's participation in qualifications for EURO 2024, to be held in Germany, would have an effect on the national of Kosovo, which is located in the same group of qualifications. In the group, besides Kosovo and Belarus, there are also Switzerland, Romania, Israel and Andorra. The qualifying matches start next week.

Due to the inability to hold matches in its field, Belarus has selected several qualifying matches to take place in Serbia.

By contrast, Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, using Belarus's territory to launch attacks. However, Minsk denies he is at odds.