Disinfo: Only Ukraine reacts hysterically to the football championship between unrecognised republics

Summary

Not all countries react as sharply and hysterically as Ukraine to the participation of representatives of their specific territories in ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) tournaments.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about Ukraine and unrecognised territories.

CONIFA was founded in 2013 to oversee international competitions among the non-FIFA affiliated associations in the world. The so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" are among the members of CONIFA. Meanwhile, organisers emphasise the non-political role of the competition.

In Europe, there are two official football structures that are authorised to hold or give the right to host world and continental championships. They are FIFA and UEFA. At the moment, 206 officially recognised states are members of FIFA, which have the right to hold and fight for participation in world and continental championships. Neither FIFA nor UEFA recognises CONIFA nor its championship.

Some other countries, not only Ukraine, whose unrecognised territories are involved in the CONIFA tournament, are protesting against this tournament as well. For example, Abkhazia, an unrecognised republic, which is internationally considered to be part of Georgia, is one of the participants in the tournament. It also held this competition in 2016, and the Georgian authorities spoke about the illegality of CONIFA, especially since the participants came to Abkhazia through Russia, which is illegal under Georgian law. Azerbaijan also opposes CONIFA.

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ukraina.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 184
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 03/02/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Abkhazia, EU disintegration, Abandoned Ukraine, Ukrainian disintegration, LPR, DPR
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