CEV Clears Russia's Volleyball Teams to Compete
The European Volleyball Confederation approved Russia's men's and women's national teams for its events, with the Nations League as the nearest possible entry.
The European Volleyball Confederation has cleared Russia's men's and women's national teams to compete in tournaments under its umbrella, the All-Russian Volleyball Federation said on 30 September.
The decision came from the CEV's Administrative Council during the confederation's General Assembly. The council took up the International Volleyball Federation's earlier ruling on admitting Russian national teams and officials to international competition, and confirmed that the same approach now applies to CEV-run events for national sides. The specific conditions and organisational mechanisms still need to be drawn up and put to the Administrative Council for approval at a later date. The clearance covers both indoor and beach volleyball.
The nearest fixture open to Russia's indoor side is the Nations League.
Stanislav Shevchenko, head of the All-Russian Volleyball Federation, welcomed the move.
"We welcome the CEV's decision to admit the Russian national teams to European tournaments and its support for the corresponding decision of the International Volleyball Federation. We now await approval of the conditions and procedure for admission. The All-Russian Volleyball Federation is ready for constructive work so that the Russian national teams can fully return to participation in international tournaments — under the flag and anthem of the Russian Federation — as soon as possible."
The organisational detail still has to be settled before either side can enter a squad. Until the Administrative Council approves the mechanisms, the Nations League clearance remains a stated intention rather than a confirmed entry.
About this article
Prepared by the editorial team with the help of algorithms, based on the sources listed